HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes: a comparison of older persons and young adults in Thailand.

Levels of AIDS related knowledge are widely assumed to be high in Thailand, a country with probably the most effective response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic to date in the developing world. But efforts to verify these levels are sparse in recent years, and very little attention has ever been paid to AIDS knowledge and attitudes within the Thai older population. Because many Thai older persons (aged 50 and over) remain sexually active late in life, and because many more will be involved in interactions with and care taking of young adult persons suffering from AIDS, we explore AIDS knowledge and attitudinal data we collected during 1999 from a sample of 773 older Thais from four provinces and Bangkok. The sample provinces were chosen to include a wide range of prevalence levels and social contexts regarding the epidemic. We compare the results with data from a sample of 398 young adults using the same questionnaire, collected at the same sites, at the same time (total N = 1,171). We find an overall high level of awareness about AIDS across our age groups of interest, but also identify important deficiencies among the young adults and especially among the older Thais. Implications of the findings are discussed.     

A cross-sectional analysis of variables impacting on AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among employees of a Minnesota teaching hospital

We examined variables that were correlated with the AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among employees of a 455-bed acute-care Minnesota teaching hospital and its associated clinics, located in a low-prevalence area for HIV infection. In August 1987, an anonymous questionnaire was sent via interdepartmental mail to all employees (2,980), including 270 physicians. The four-page survey obtained demographic information and measured 14 variables, including degree of homosexual bias, degree of homophobia, and AIDS-related knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, and anxiety level. Responses were obtained from 2,351 (79%) of the employees. By multivariate analysis, the following variables were highly correlated with positive behaviors and attitudes toward AIDS patients (p less than .0001): lower homophobia scores, higher AIDS knowledge scores, expressed confidence in AIDS-related medical information, and a greater number of previous contacts with AIDS patients. Those with a family member or close friend with AIDS also showed more positive attitudes and behaviors (p less than .02). Level of education was correlated with knowledge about AIDS (p less than .0001) but was not correlated (p greater than .05) with more positive behaviors or attitudes inrelation to AIDS patients. Educational efforts should attempt to improve hospital employees' knowledge about AIDS and their confidence in AIDS-related medical information. Efforts to address homophobia should also be considered.     

HIV knowledge and attitudes among providers in aging: results from a national survey

Within 5 years, half the U.S. HIV-infected population will be over age 50, and providers caring for older adults must deal with this reality. This study assessed attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS and knowledge of HIV/AIDS among physicians with a geriatrics specialty, and nurses and social workers who specialize in gerontology. A survey mailed in 2008 to a random sample of U.S. providers yielded a 60% response rate. Main outcome measures included: Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS, and knowledge of issues related to HIV in older adults. General knowledge of HIV/AIDS was good with scores of 89%, 84%, and 81% for physicians, nurses, and social workers, respectively; groups differed significantly (F(2, 483)=18.626, p<0.0005). Attitudes were positive, with a significant main effect of profession on the attitude subscales (F(4, 952)=6.84, p<0.0005). Eighty-three percent of the sample were unaware that dementia due to HIV may be reversible; no significant differences by profession (χ(2)=4.50, p=0.105). The sample had difficulty ranking the four most common risk factors for HIV infection in older adults, with no significant differences among the professions (F(2, 483)=1.22, p=0.296). Only 6% of the sample correctly ranked all four risk factors. Estimates of the percent of U.S. AIDS cases in people over age 50 varied widely; few answered correctly, with no significant differences by professional group (F(2,319)=2.82, p=0.06). These findings highlight the need for further education among providers who specialize in aging.     

Surveillance of HIV/AIDS-related attitudes and perceptions among the general public in Hong Kong from 1994 to 2000.

The present study monitored the trends of HIV/AIDS-related attitudes and perceptions including awareness, knowledge, self-perceived risk of HIV infection, and program evaluation among the general public in Hong Kong over a period of 7 years. Six cross-sectional telephone surveys were conducted. A total of 6,795 respondents aged 18-50 randomly selected from the general population participated in the study. Over the study period, the level of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge has improved slightly for most of the studied items. Condom use has been more widely accepted as an efficacious means of HIV prevention. However, the public seemed to be losing interest in HIV/AIDS-related issues and were not satisfied with the efficacy and adequacy of HIV/AIDS programs in Hong Kong. Sustaining efforts to remove misconceptions and to raise the public's interest, formulation of more effective programs, and ongoing evaluation are necessary.     

Evolution of college students' AIDS-related behavioral responses, attitudes, knowledge, and fear

Data were collected (a) to document extant levels of AIDS-risk behavior, AIDS-preventive behavior, AIDS-knowledge, and attitudes toward prevention among college students, (b) to assess the evolution from 1986 to 1988 of college students' behavioral and attitudinal responses to the AIDS epidemic, and (c) to document changes over time in college students' knowledge about AIDS. Although students' current levels of AIDS-knowledge were found to be relatively high, and their attitudes toward prevention were in the neutral range, actual preventive behavior was low, and unsafe sexual practices were high. Concerning changes in these dimensions across time, data using comparable samples of undergraduates in 1986, 1987, and 1988 indicated that there were substantial increases in knowledge about AIDS, in the favorability of attitudes toward certain "safer-sex" behaviors (e.g., discussing "safer sex"), and in the utilization of relevant informational resources. Students' perceptions of others' vulnerability to AIDS (but not their own vulnerability), had also increased. However, at the same time, students reported a decrease in the safety of their sexual behaviors. Numbers of sexual partners, likelihood of being in an intimate (sexual) relationship, and unsafe sexual practices have all increased since 1986. Finally, evidence suggested that alcohol may play a significant role in students' AIDS-risk behavior.     

Study of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among junior high-school students in Shanghai, China

The aim of this study was to assess the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among junior high-school students in Shanghai, China, and the factors influencing this knowledge. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 20 middle schools of two districts by a cluster-stratified selection procedure in Shanghai, China. The 2432 sampled students, aged from 11.1 to 16.7 years, completed a self-administered questionnaire of HIV/AIDS prevention. The results showed that the overall correct rate of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was 62%. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, we found that the main factors influencing HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among junior high school students were the type of school (odds ratio [OR] = 1.641), age (OR = 1.727), whether the student was a single child in the family (OR = 1.389), whether the student had previous HIV/AIDS-related education experience (OR = 2.003) and whether the student had ever discussed HIV/AIDS with their parents (OR = 1.282). The results indicate that HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among Shanghai junior high school students is not high enough, and more attention needs to be paid to enhance HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, especially among younger students from common type schools without HIV/AIDS-related education experience. We encourage Chinese parents to get involved in their children's HIV/AIDS prevention education.     

Male circumcision, attitudes to HIV prevention and HIV status: a cross-sectional study in Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland

In efficacy trials male circumcision (MC) protected men against HIV infection. Planners need information relevant to MC programmes in practice. In 2008, we interviewed 2915 men and 4549 women aged 15-29 years in representative cluster samples in Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland, asking about socio-economic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes about HIV and MC and MC history. We tested finger prick blood samples for HIV. We calculated weighted frequencies of MC knowledge and attitudes, and MC history and HIV status. Multivariate analysis examined associations between MC and other variables and HIV status. In Botswana, 11% of young men reported MC, 28% in Namibia and 8% in Swaziland; mostly (75% in Botswana, 94% - mostly Herero - in Namibia and 68% in Swaziland) as infants or children. Overall, 6.5% were HIV positive (8.3% Botswana, 2.6% Namibia and 9.1% Swaziland). Taking other variables into account, circumcised men were as likely as uncircumcised men to be HIV positive. Nearly half of the uncircumcised young men planned to be circumcised; two-thirds of young men and women planned to have their sons circumcised. Some respondents had inaccurate beliefs and unhelpful views about MC and HIV, with variation between countries. Between 9 and 15% believed a circumcised man is fully protected against HIV; 20-26% believed men need not be tested for HIV before MC; 14-26% believed HIV-positive men who are circumcised cannot transmit the virus; and 8-34% thought it was "okay for a circumcised man to expect sex without a condom". Inaccurate perceptions about protection from MC could lead to risk compensation and reduce women's ability to negotiate safer sex. More efforts are needed to raise awareness about the limitations of MC protection, especially for women, and to study the interactions between MC roll out programmes and primary HIV prevention programmes.     

河南省部分艾滋病高流行村庄居民死亡状况调查

目的了解艾滋病(AIDS)相关死亡的变化趋势,以及艾滋病相关死亡对当地死亡状况造成的影响。方法采用回顾性调查的方法,对河南省驻马店市上蔡县7个行政村,1995年1月1日-2007年10月31日,所有死亡者进行名单摸底、入户调查和死因推断,分析死亡构成及变化。结果共计死亡2546人,其中艾滋病病毒感染者(HIV)/AIDS死亡521例(20.5%),疑似AIDS死亡525例(20.6%),非AIDS死亡1500例(58.9%)。30～49岁青壮年死亡人数的比例,从1995-1997年的15%上升到1998年的21.5%,在2002年达到42.3%,之后逐年下降,到2007年为25.5%。30～49岁年龄组HIV/AIDS死亡者和疑似AIDS死亡者,分别占该组死亡人数的59.7%和59.8%。全人群死亡率在1995-1999年为7‰左右,在2002年出现高峰,为14.9‰。结论艾滋病和疑似艾滋病的死亡,成为当地死亡的主要原因,尤其是青壮年的死亡。     

Gender differences in university students' HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and sexual behaviours in Malawi: a pilot study

A cross-sectional study was conducted among first-year university students in Malawi to determine distributions of HIV/AIDS related knowledge, and sexual behaviours. A total of 314 (199 male and 115 female) students were eligible to participate, and of these 221 (70.4%) participated in the survey. Generally, levels of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge were similar between sexes. Overall, 68.9% of students of both sexes felt that they knew enough about HIV/AIDS. Altogether, 83.3% of students reported that they knew where to access HIV testing on campus, but only 19.0% reported that they knew their HIV status. Some 60.3% of students who had never been tested intended to have an HIV test. A history of having ever been tested was not associated with sex. Most (68.4%) students felt that they were not at risk of acquiring HIV infection. Overall, 66.8% of students knew where to get a condom on campus, and 38.7% stated that they knew exactly how to use it. About half (52.6%) of the students used a condom at last vaginal sexual intercourse. Having multiple sex partners in the last 12 months was reported by 40.4% of students.     

HIV/AIDS-related cardiovascular disease

Recent advances in antiretroviral therapies have enhanced survival of HIV/AAIDS patients, but cardiovascular complications have emerged as important issues in this growing patient population. Although the antiviral drug therapies apparently yield cardiac and/or vascular toxicities themselves, several other factors associated with HIV pathogenesis have also been implicated. This brief review provides an overview of the significance and complexities of HIV/AIDS-related cardiovascular complications and ad resses some important mechanistic aspects that may contribute to this important clinical problem.     

Anesthesiologist's knowledge and attitudes about obstructive sleep apnea: a survey study

Objective  

The objectives of this study were to measure the anesthesiologists' knowledge and attitudes about OSA and assess the need for additional educational programs focusing on OSA.     

Mental health and substance abuse staff: HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes.

Mental health and substance abuse treatment staff completed a set of measures assessing their attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs concerning AIDS. Results indicated that while most staff were aware of basic information about the disease, approximately one-third were not aware of the neuropsychological and psycho-behavioural concomitants of the disorder. Those surveyed were aware of the main transmission routes, but overgeneralized their concern to casual contact. Most staff indicated willingness to work with HIV-infected individuals, although 29% stated they would try to avoid working with them. Interestingly, mental health staff expressed greater hesitancy than substance abuse staff. These and other results are interpreted to suggest that some desensitization of concern may have already occurred among those who have worked with HIV-positive clients. Individuals who had worked with an HIV-positive client had greater knowledge, less discomfort, and were less likely to want to avoid those who are HIV-positive. Questions attempting to identify sources of discomfort in working with AIDS or HIV-positive clients suggested that fear of contagion may be the primary concern, followed by discomfort of working with the terminally ill, and then discomfort with IV drug users and homosexuals. The implications of these results for continuing education activities and staff readiness are discussed.     

HIV counsellors' knowledge,attitudes and vulnerabilities to HIV in Lusaka,Zambia, 1994

The objective of this study was to see how HIV affected counsellors in their personal and professional lives and how they coped. A total of 101 people who were currently working as HIV counsellors were interviewed. Of these, 70 had a relative who had died of HIV, but few had been able to discuss HIV with them. Seventy-two worried about their HIV status but only 24 had had a test. Fifty-three counsellors did not want to know their status. Women counsellors worried because of the sexual behaviour of their partners and often felt unable to discuss HIV with them. Although nearly all were in favour of promoting condoms as protection against HIV transmission only 27 had ever used one. Many HIV counsellors found it difficult to discuss sexual behaviour with their clients. HIV counsellors in Zambia worry about HIV in their personal lives and need continuing confidential support to help them cope with their own worries as well as the anxieties created by the job itself. They need more help and training in discussing issues around sexual behaviour with their clients. Women counsellors, in particular, need support in dealing with their personal sexual life.     

医科与非医科大学生对AIDS知晓程度的调查分析

目的 为研究医学院校大学生及非医学院校大学生对艾滋病(AIDS)知识的掌握情况，探讨对这两者进行健康教育的工作重点。方法 采用自行设计的AIDS相关知识的问卷，用整群抽样法抽取浙江大学医学院学生385人、浙江工业大学学生463人进行调查，将两者应答的正确率进行X^2检验。结果 发现二者在AIDS相关知识、传播途径、对待AIDS态度上的某些方面存在显著性差异。结论 应在大学生中有针对性地开展AIDS知识的健康教育。     

Relationship between expressed HIV/AIDS-related stigma and HIV-beliefs/knowledge and behaviour in families of HIV infected children in Kenya

OBJECTIVES: To quantify expressed stigma in clients of the Kangemi program for HIV+ children, and to characterize the association between stigma and other population characteristics. METHODS: By means of a household survey we created a stigma index and indices for other social and knowledge domains that influence HIV-related healthcare. We used chi2, anova, and correlation to identify associations between domains. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) expressed stigma on a six points scale (6 = least stigma) was 3.65 +/- 1.64. Composite scores on knowledge about AIDS were skewed toward more knowledge; and analysis of individual knowledge items indicates that most respondents reject erroneous traditional beliefs and myths about the causes and transmission routes of AIDS. Respondents who were younger, had never married, and had less education expressed greater stigma. Differences in stigma were associated with poor knowledge about AIDS and negative attitudes toward testing, but not with gender or tribal affiliation. Condom use at last intercourse, unrelated to stigma, was only 40% (n = 218). CONCLUSIONS: While this population has good knowledge about AIDS and appraises risks realistically, it fails to reduce these risks. Associations between stigma and other domains can inform interventions that improve HIV care and mitigate spread of HIV.     

Complementary medicine use among people living with HIV/AIDS in Victoria, Australia: practices, attitudes and perceptions

There is limited evidence suggesting the underlying reasons for the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) by people with HIV/AIDS, or individual attitudes and beliefs about the use of CAMs. Using focus groups and a survey with 151 individuals attending the HIV Clinics at The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, we aimed to provide insights into factors that influence the use of CAMs among people living with HIV/AIDS. Roughly half (49%) of the participants had used CAMs to manage their HIV/AIDs. Users of CAMs utilized a wide range of treatments in managing their condition, but costs of the CAMs meant that users were not necessarily able to use them as much as they might have liked. Use of CAMs was based on a desire to find something beneficial rather than on being dissatisfied with conventional medicine. Further research is needed into (a) the effects of CAMs and (b) the enhancement of communication and collaboration between patients, doctors and complementary medicine practitioners.     

泸州市老年人艾滋病相关知识态度和行为调查

目的 了解泸州市老年人(年龄≥50岁)艾滋病相关知识、态度和行为,为针对性地开展老年人艾滋病教育工作提供依据.方法 采用多阶段抽样的方法,于2019年10月至2020年1月对泸州市≥50岁老年人进行面对面问卷调查.结果 在纳入研究的老年入中,艾滋病知识总知晓率为30.9％(209/676),年龄、居住地、人均月收入、参...