Knowledge, attitudes, perception and behaviours of HIV/AIDS among end-cycle students in Cote d'Ivoire: Cross-sectional survey

In Cote d'Ivoire, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS has declined significantly in the last decade as a result ofpublic health actions. An assessment of knowledge, attitudes, perception and behaviours was carriedout to assess the outcome of the strategies for raising awareness and communicating with students about HIV/AIDS. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 among students enrolled in third year at the university. An anonymous self-questionnaire including a consent form was provided. Mean scores were calculated from the items in the questionnaire to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, perception and behaviours of these students with regard to HIV/AIDS. The chi square test was used to compare the qualitative variables, and the quantitative variables were compared with the test of student. Among 561 students who participated in the study, 41.7, 26.7 and 31.6% were respectively registered in the sectors of human and social sciences (HSS), biosciences and health sciences. The mean age was 25.9 ± 3.4 years with a sex ratio of 1.3. The mean knowledge score of certain modes of transmission was 4.9 ± 0.36 out of 5 while that of condom positive perception was 6.4 ± 2.2 out of 12. This perception score was significantly higher in women than in men (6.1 vs. 6.9, p = 0.0001). The mean acceptance score was 7.3 ± 2.2 out of 10. The results of this work show good knowledge about HIV/AIDS among the students surveyed. However, the positive perception of the condom is far from being integrated in the student environment. This study also showed the persistence of HIV risk behaviour is out of sync with the level of Knowledge. It would be important to review marketing and communication strategies about HIV

Understanding Diversity in Impact and Responses among HIV/AIDS-Affected Households: the Case of Msinga; South Africa

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of HIV and AIDS on rural households in Msinga; South Africa; the sustainable livelihoods framework was adapted. An ethnographic perspective was employed to examine: 1) the impact of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses on people's mind and spirit (the internal environment); and 2) the influence of institutional structures and processes (the external environment); in order to better understand 3) the actions taken by individuals and households in response to HIV and AIDS. Members of three support groups at a local drop-in centre were consulted about the impact of HIV and AIDS on their lives through focus groups; a questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The study shows that the psychosocial impact and associated coping strategies; as well as prevailing gender-based power relations and exclusion from social- exchange networks - which are not (readily) available factors in the sustainable livelihoods framework - affect people's lives in different ways and depend on the specific situation of the individual or household concerned. The study confirms the need to restore a household's resource base and to address psychosocial issues. However; the variation in impact to different households requires a diversified and holistic programme of development interventions

Attitudes; opinions et pratiques des praticiens relatives a l'annonce du resultat serologique VIH

Le Programme National de Lutte contre le SIDA de la Republique Centrafricaine a initie une enquete aupres du personnel de sante pour evaluer leurs attitudes; opinions et pratiques envers les personnes atteintes du SIDA; ceci dans le but d'analyser les conditions de la prise en charge de ces malades et d'apprecier les reactions relatives a l'annonce du diagnostic. Les reponses recues de cette enquete sont controversees. Pendant que certains preferent taire la verite d'autres pensent plutot qu'il faut la livrer. Ce dialogue constitue toutefois une base pour la la formation du personnel de sante

Medecins et seropositifs : perceptions croisees du SIDA et prise en charge a Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire)

Annoncer la seropositivite devient une preoccupation majeure pour le personnel de sante. Or dire la verite revet aujourd'hui un caractere a la fois contraignant et necessaire. Contraignant parce que cela permet d'etudier la prise en charge des malades et necessaire pour servir d'elements pouvant freiner la transmission continue du SIDA

Infections a VIH SIDA et problemes d'adaptation : l'exemple du Senegal

L'infection a VIH-SIDA; par ses effets nefastes dans l'organisme et son evolution ineluctable; provoque chez la femme des problemes dramatiques d'adaptation. Par sa signification d'entrave a ses projets dans la vie; elle lui cree un univers physique; affectif et social ou elle se remet en situation avec la prise en compte du poids des contraintes economiques; sociales et surtout culturelles propres au contexte senegalais

Psychosocial shared care therapy for PWAs (Philly Lutaya Initiative Model)

Finding out one's own serostatus is a problem but it is a greater problem when one tests HIV+. The immediate feeling is loneliness; who to tell next? What will be the implication to my family? It becomes another sickness. In Uganda; a self help project focusing on shared care for PWA has been set up under the umbrella of Philly Lutaya Initiative (PLI). Description: PLI was set up four years ago with the following objectives:1. To give AIDS a human face. 2. Bring together PWAs to share experiences and support each other. 3. Build working capacity among PWAs. 4. Educate the community through life experienced. Many members of Philly Lutaya have pernalised the feeling of being HIV+ i.e. copping and acceptance of the problem. Being HIV+ has been used as an entry point to draw attention to educate the community; minimise stigma and descrimination. The sensitised communities have developed positive attitudes to PWAs and this gives positive people continously upheld the morale of PWAs. If funds can allow; more PWAs initiatives should be implemented in other districts of the country