Abstract
BackgroundDespite the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Pakistan, no prior work has been done to specifically highlight the importance of education as a social vaccine against HIV. Therefore, our study focuses on differences in knowledge and practices regarding HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among educated and uneducated adults.MethodologyA cross-sectional study was carried out in which data was collected from all over Karachi. An individual was designated as educated if he had received education above primary school level. Individuals who had studied till primary school or less were considered uneducated. The questionnaire was split into four sections that assessed respondents' demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS. Chi square test was used as the primary statistical test.ResultsOut of the 446 adult participants, 235 (52.7%) were educated and 211 (47.3%) were uneducated. Educated participants were significantly more likely to have heard about HIV (183 vs. 39, p < 0.001) and had better knowledge about the symptoms of HIV/AIDS (p < 0.001). Among the participants who knew about AIDS, a greater percentage of uneducated (n = 28, 53%) than educated individuals (n = 68, 37%) believed that people suffering from AIDS should be isolated (p = o.o16) and that HIV can spread through water (40% vs 20% respectively, p < 0.001). Both educated (n = 49, 27%) and uneducated (n = 46, 89%) adults believed that awareness would help prevent the spread of HIV (p = 0.978) and were willing to educate their children about it (p = 0.696).ConclusionOur study revealed a gap in the knowledge about HIV/AIDS between educated and uneducated adults. There is an urgent need for awareness programs that especially reach out to the uneducated masses that are otherwise uninformed about HIV and are under high risk of acquiring HIV.
Highlights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a deadly infection which leads to the subsequent development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Educated participants were significantly more likely to have heard about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (183 vs. 39, p < 0.001) and had better knowledge about the symptoms of HIV/AIDS (p < 0.001)
Among the participants who knew about AIDS, a greater percentage of uneducated (n = 28, 53%) than educated individuals (n = 68, 37%) believed that people suffering from AIDS should be isolated (p = o.o16) and that HIV can spread through water (40% vs 20% respectively, p < 0.001)
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a deadly infection which leads to the subsequent development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). From the emergence of the first case in 1987 to the reporting an alarming toll of more than 100,000 HIV/AIDS cases [3], Pakistan is considered a concentrated epidemic country. The HIV epidemic affects the health of individuals and impacts households and communities and the development and economic growth of nations [5]. Despite the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Pakistan, no prior work has been done to highlight the importance of education as a social vaccine against HIV. Our study focuses on differences in knowledge and practices regarding HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among educated and uneducated adults
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