Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Knowledge Among Residents of Informal Settlement in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the most formidable challenge to public health. Prevention and control of its spread is partly depends on peoples knowledge and behaviour change from risky to safe sexual practices. This aim of this cross sectional descriptive and quantitative study was to assess Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome knowledge among residents of informal settlement. Accordingly, this study was conducted among residents of informal settlement in ward 40 who have stayed for more than five years in the area and were 18 years and above on their last birthday. The study sample consisted of 100 participants, 47 male and 53 females. The results showed that high Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome knowledge levels among the respondents. Overall, the results also revealed that adults (85%) and female (82%) respondents were more knowledgeable about Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome than youth (57%) and male (74%) respondents. It is also of interest to note that, despite the high overall knowledge levels, some of the respondents still had poor knowledge, misconceptions and erroneous beliefs about Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Only 47% of male respondents knew that there was no cure for HIV and AID Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome compared to 84% of females, while also only 55% of males knew that there was no expensive vaccine for prevention against HIV infection compared to 74% of females. The results further revealed that despite 94% of males knowing that traditional practitioners cannot prevent HIV spread compared to 87% of females, it is interesting to note that only 66% of males knew that western and traditional medicine cannot be combined to treat HIV infected people compared to 91% of females. The knowledge gaps among males and youth, and misconceptions about transmission and prevention and treatment shows that the participants were vulnerable to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome infection. There is a need for intensification of health education interventions in the Nelson Mandela Municipality in order to close the knowledge gap and address the existing misconceptions and erroneous beliefs in the community.