Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among Girls' High School Students in Urban Area.

ABSTRACT

A cross sectional study was conducted at Kamla Nehru Girls High School, Wardha to assess level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and awareness of HIV/ AIDS related health resources amongst high school girl students.. All 188 girl students in the age group 14-19 years studying in high school were selected for the study. The mean age of the students was 15.62 ± 1.5 years. 84.04 per cent of the students had heard of HIV/AIDS. 18.99% girls had no knowledge about the possible modes of transmission. Modes of HIV transmission identified by most of the girls included sex with an infected person 81.01%, use of infected blood 72.78%, unsterile needle 76.58% and 66.46% were aware of the fact that HIV could be transmitted from mother to child. 43.67% of the girls were aware about HIV/AIDS as preventable. 27.22% of the students knew about the availability of treatment for HIV/AIDS. The main source of information about HIV/AIDS to most of the students was the teachers (84.18%), television (38.61%), newspaper (3.16%), health personnel (3.16%), radio (1.27%) and books (1.27%). The knowledge of the students on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS was poor. There is a strong need that a specific chapter on HIV/AIDS should be included in the school curriculum which could make them aware of the problems of HIV/AIDS and HIV related health resources.