HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and behaviors assessment of Chinese students: a questionnaire study.

Xiaodong Tan,Dong Zhou,Jingju Pan,Chunhong Wang,Chaojun Xie

doi:10.3390/ijerph2007030009

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess students' knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV and AIDS. A questionnaire was administered to a cross section of 259 Chinese undergraduates. Respondents were asked to provide information about knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS. Study results indicated that the majority of undergraduates had a moderate level of HIV and AIDS knowledge, acceptance and attitudes towards people with HIV and AIDS. Boys had more acceptance and positive attitudes towards people with HIV and AIDS than girls. Students majoring in medicine performed better (more knowledgeable and accepting) than non-medical students. Differences between students with various monthly expenditures were found-- 6.2% of students had 3-5 sexual partners which has rarely been found in Chinese students; most students did not know HIV VCT centers and most students did not show their confidence for controlling of HIV and AIDS in China. In conclusion, students' knowledge about HIV/AIDS was uneven. A peer educational program to talk about self esteem, healthy sexual attitudes, being human-accepting and loving should be developed in the near future.

Highlights

Since the first case of HIV was recognized in the United States in 1981, HIV has spread rapidly throughout the world
Results from our study demonstrated that the majority of university students in this study had a moderate level of HIV knowledge, and tolerant and positive attitudes towards people live with HIV/AIDS
This outcome is similar to other studies which were performed among university students in other parts of China [7, 8, 9], but much better than studies conducted among other groups, such as hotel attendants [10], criminal suspects [11] and others [12]

Summary

Introduction

Since the first case of HIV was recognized in the United States in 1981, HIV has spread rapidly throughout the world. Statistics from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2006 show that the number of people living with HIV at the end of 2005 totaled 38.6 million (33.4–46.0 million). An estimated 4.1 million [3.4 million–6.2 million] were newly infected with HIV and an estimated 2.8 million [2.4 million–3.3 million] lost their lives to AIDS. The latest UNAIDS and WHO estimates are lower than those published in the AIDS epidemic update-December 2005, the number of people living with HIV has continued to rise [1]. China ranks 13th globally and second in Asia [2] with the number of people living with HIV estimated to be 650,000 (540,000–760,000) at the end of 2005 according to China Ministry of Health and UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion