A Study on Knowledge and Awareness About HIV Among School and College Going Students of Dhaka City

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate student’s knowledge, awareness and attitude about HIV/AIDS. It was a cross sectional study where 291 students studying in class VIII-XII from different areas of Dhaka were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Majority (95.53%) heard about HIV/AIDS. They have good knowledge about the ways of transmission of viruses such as sharing infected needle or injection (92.78%), blood transfusion (92.10%), mother to fetus (87.97%).But also had some misconceptions like eating or drinking from same glass or plate (43.99%), kissing (37.46%), wearing same dress (30.51%) can be responsible for spreading of HIV. The respondent mentioned that avoiding needle share (84.54%), knowledge and education (82.82%) about HIV/AIDS, avoiding casual sex (81.10%) could be the methods for preventing AIDS. The study participants were quite positive about presence of all infected person in the school or college if he/she is a teacher (61.17%) or a student (60.82%). Students demonstrated a high level of knowledge concerning AIDS and HIV, but had considerable misconceptions and prejudices about people having HIV/AIDS. The study results suggest that a more appropriate education programme in schools and colleges in Bangladesh may be necessary to reduce the discrepancy between general knowledge and desirable attitude regarding HIV/AIDS. However, schools and colleges should come forward to design awareness campaigns for the benefit of the students.