Knowledge and Attitudes About HIV/AIDS Among Adolescent Students in 15-19 Years Age Group Based on the Adolescent Education Programme: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Kamrup (Metro), Assam.

Autor:	Habib A; Department of Community Medicine, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, IND., Goswami K; Department of Community Medicine, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, IND., Ojah J; Department of Community Medicine, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, IND., Bharali MD; Department of Community Medicine, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, IND.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Cureus [Cureus] 2024 Jun 11; Vol. 16 (6), pp. e62122. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 11 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI:	10.7759/cureus.62122
Abstrakt:	Introduction: There has been a rising trend in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases globally as well as regionally. To combat the rising cases, it is very crucial to understand the perception of knowledge and attitude among the adolescent age group, as they constitute a majority of the population in India. The adolescent age group is quite vulnerable; hence, special attention has to be given to this particular age group to prevent them from acquiring high-risk behaviours. The Government of India initiated the Adolescent Education Programme to help adolescents cultivate a positive attitude and learn life skills to live a better and dignified life. Educational institutions have a significant role in imparting effective sex education to adolescents. This programme focuses on making the students aware of the dangers, stigma, and discrimination associated with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as well as modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS, helping them to acquire the necessary life skills to enable them to avoid risky situations and to develop healthy and responsible behaviour. The study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among adolescent students aged 15-19 years and help them achieve a healthy attitude and responsible behaviour towards HIV/AIDS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the educational institutions of Kamrup (Metro), Assam, catering to the adolescent age group of 15-19 years for two months, beginning on March 15, 2024, and ending on May 15, 2024. Simple random sampling was done to select seven schools, and students were selected via systematic random sampling. The knowledge and attitude about HIV were assessed using a self-designed questionnaire that was pilot-tested; Cronbach's alpha was used to check the internal consistency of the questionnaire; and content validation was done by a group of four experts on the subject matter. The survey questionnaire was administered to the participants in their classrooms after obtaining prior permission from the school authorities. Fisher's exact test and Chi-square tests were done to test the associations, taking a p-value <0.05 as statistically significant. A binary logistic regression model was put up to show the influence of certain socio-demographic variables on knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS, taking a p-value <0.05 as statistically significant. A two-factor analysis of variance with measurement repetition was also performed. Results: The majority, 165 (52.5%) of the participants, had good knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS. The socio-demographic variables such as age, institution, grade, and religion were significantly associated with knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS (p-value <0.05). Regarding sources of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, the majority, 178 (56.7%) of the participants, mentioned it being taught in school or college as a part of the curriculum. Conclusion: It is critical to address the current lack of information and unfavourable attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS among adolescents through school-based health programmes. This should be accomplished through proactive campaigns by educators, community leaders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other groups in partnership with the government. Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati issued approval M.C No.: 190/2007/Pt-II/March.2024/12. This is for your information that the Institutional Ethics Committee of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati in its meeting held on 27th March, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. in the Conference Hall of Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati has approved your study proposal "A Cross-Sectional Study on the Knowledge and Attitude About HIV/AIDS Among the Adolescent Age Group (15–19 years) Based on the Adolescent Education Programme in Kamrup (Metro), Assam" subject to the following conditions: I. Any amendment to the approved research proposal in future should be submitted to the committee for its review and fresh approval. 2. No changes in the protocol and/or informed Consent Documents shall be initiated without prior written approval from the Committee. 3. No change of Investigator should be done without prior approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee. 4. The approval will be valid only for the period of study proposed in the application for approval. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work. (Copyright © 2024, Habib et al.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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