HIV/AIDS Awareness Of Auto Rickshaw Drivers In Ludhiana City. Punjab – India

Abstract

Research QuestionWhat is the level of Knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS in Auto rickshaw drivers? ObjectiveTo assess the awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among Auto rickshaw drivers. Study DesignCrosssectional Study Sample600 Auto rickshaw drivers Statistical Analysis – Percentages, Chi Square, Odd's Ratio Results – Out of total 600 Auto rickshaw drivers, 384 (64.0%) had heard about HIV/AIDS. Awareness level increased with increase in educational status. Out of 384, 74.2% drivers knew that unprotected sex is the main mode of transmission. TV (63.0%) was the common media as source of information. Only 36.2% knew that the disease is not curable. INTRODUCTION HIV / AIDS is a serious challenge for the developing as well as developed world. In a span of two decades, since its first identification, HIV infection has become a pandemic and has posed a formidable challenge to mankind. Based on the revised estimates, HIV prevalence in the country was 0.36% in 2006 1 . AIDS prevention strategy largely depends on health education and behavioral changes based on AIDS awareness among the population which has started showing its results in India where the prevalence has shown slight decline in the recent past. Awareness constitutes the cornerstone of all intervention endeavors for HIV transmission, more so in case of high risk groups. Auto rickshaw drivers are a unique segment, in that by virtue of their work they come into contact with large number of people and can therefore act as agents spreading key messages about HIV/AIDS to the general public. 2 With this perspective the present study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among auto rickshaw drivers in Ludhiana city. MATERIALS & METHODS The study was conducted on auto rickshaw drivers who were currently driving the vehicle. Seven main points of Ludhiana city were identified. Out of 1050 auto rickshaw drivers contacted, 600 agreed to participate. The knowledge about HIV/AIDS was assessed by using structured interview schedule. The interview schedule mainly focused on studying the awareness about modes of transmission, source of information, curability of disease and blood testing. The data collected were analyzed by using SPSS 16.0 software. RESULTS TableI reveals that 59.3% of the auto rickshaw drivers were in 21 to 40 years age group while the elder population was HIV/AIDS Awareness Of Auto Rickshaw Drivers In Ludhiana City. Punjab – India