A study on knowledge of HIV/AIDS among adolescents of higher secondary school in Jajarkot district of Nepal

Abstract

HIV/AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized in 1981, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. It is an increasing public health problem of the people in the world. A descriptive study was carried out in 2013 at Jajarkot district of Nepal, to assess the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among adolescents of higher secondary school. Facilitator based self administered questionnaire was distributed among 150 students who were selected through simple random technique lottery method. The study showed that majority of the respondents had knowledge about HIV/AIDS and more than two third (77.3%) had knowledge about the causative agent of the disease. Regarding the transmission of disease, majority (94.7%) had responded through needle sharing and 93.3% respondents responded through contamination of blood. Highest percent of respondent (51%) had knowledge in symptoms i.e. weight loss. Majority had knowledge that condom use during sexual intercourse can prevent HIV/AIDS. Despite having adequate knowledge still there exists various misconceptions regarding HIV/AIDS among the adolescents. The knowledge among the respondents was quite satisfactory for most of the aspects like modes of transmission, sexual and behavioral practices and common symptoms and preventive measures of the disease. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11940Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3):43-45