A STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF HIV/AIDS AMONG PUC STUDENTS OF CHITRADURGA

Oshin Rachel Issac, Pavithra M.A., Abubaker Siddiq* and Bharathi D.R.

ABSTRACT

Background: The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a fatal illness caused by retro virus known as the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which breaks down the body’s immune system, leaving the victim vulnerable to a host of life threatening opportunistic infection, neurological disorders, or unusual malignancies. Objectives: The objectives of the present study is to assess the awareness of PU students regarding HIV/AIDS. To assess the level of knowledge regarding myths and believes about the spread of HIV/AIDS. To improve the knowledge on prevention of HIV/AIDS. Materials and methods: This is a prospective observational study which is conducted on PUC students of SLV PU College, Don Bosco PU College and SJM Independent PU College in Chitradurga for a period of six months. Results: Three PU colleges from Chitradurga were selected. Among 200(n=200) subjects, 55% were males and 45% were females. Study summarises that there is sufficient improvement of knowledge in pre and post studies. Correlation between test scores with age group, gender and (PU College SLV, Don Bosco, SJMI) given large insight of the study. Conclusion: The study concludes that the basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS over various issues like prevention and mode of transmission is deficient among many students. Adolescents are more vulnerable and are less aware of the knowledge to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS should be conducted to enhance the knowledge related HIV/AIDS among the students.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Awareness, Knowledge, Prevention.