AWARENESS PATTERN REGARDING HIV/AIDS AMONG STUDENTS OF GHAZIABAD DISTRICT OF UTTAR PRADESH

Vimal Arya 1 and Vinod Sharma 2 . 1. Assistant professor, Department of Community Medicine, MLBMC, JHANSI. 2. Post Graduate, Department of Community Medicine, MLBMC, JHANSI. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History


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behaviors that carry a risk of HIV infection [3]. Even for young people who are not yet engaging in risky behaviors, AIDS education is important for ensuring that they are prepared for situations that will put them at risk as they grow older [4] . The college going students of NCR are thought to be more enlightened towards HIV infection but they also are apparently more under the influence of western culture and don't shy away from indulging or experimenting in risky sexual behavior. That is why we have planned the present study to assess the actual status of their knowledge, attitude and practice towards HIV/AIDS.

Material And Methods:-
A community based cross sectional study was conducted in department of Community Medicine Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad Medical, Para-Medical& Other technical institutes in Ghaziabad(U.P.) for a period from February 2016 to August 2016. All the students enrolled in medical para-medical and other Technical institutes in district Ghaziabad(U.P.) Students of selected medical, paramedical & other technical institutes in Ghaziabad (U.P.) Sample Size:-According to NFHS (2005NFHS ( -2006 average age of comprehensive knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among students of medical, para-medical and other technical institutes is 25% [5]. Taking confidence limit of 95% and required precision of 10%, we calculate the sample size by the formula-n=z.z.p.q/L.L n is the desired sample size p is prevalence of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding HIV/AIDS in youths. p=25 q=100-p L=5% Substituting all the values we get n=300 4 institutes were included so sample size increased to 1200. From each institute 300 students.
Inclusion criteria:-1. Students of selected professional institutes in Ghaziabad district. 2. Students who are ready to give consent.
Exclusion criteria: 1. Faculty of professional institutes. 2. Students who are not ready to give consent. 3. Students who gave incomplete responses. Data were collected through self administered, well designed pre-tested and close ended questionnaire.  Table No.1 reveals that among all students from professional colleges maximum no. of the students were between less than 20 years' age (59.16%) followed by students between 20-25 years age group (34.16%) students between 25-30 years age were (6.41%). Among 1200 students male students were 868 (72.33%) and female students were 332(27.66%).      Table 4 shows that answers about symptomatology of AIDS reveals that persistent fever is a symptom quoted by majority of students (78.33%) followed by weight loss (73.33%) than persistent diarrhoea and enlargement of glands respectively (41.75%, 31.66%), also reveals that regarding curability of AIDS correct answer was given by 23%.

Discussion:-
In present study regarding general information of students most of the students were of age group less than 20 yrs (59.16%) followed by 20-25yrs (34.16%) and among whole 1200 respondents 72.33%(868) were male and 27.66%(332) were female. In this study respondents stated Blood Transfusion (81.91%) mother's to new born (70%), multiple sex partners (78.83%), homosexuality (55.16%), unsterilized needles (74.83%), indicate average level of knowledge about correct mode of transmission of AIDS. In a study by Srivastavaet al found that 96% agreed to transmission via blood transfusion, and from infected mother to new born [6].In his study LalPanna et al found that majority of students (87.9%) quoted sexual contact, and (81%) sharing of unsterilized syringes and needles, (70.8%)infected mother to her baby as a mode of disease transmission. Regarding incorrect modes of transmission in present study students stated mosquito bite (32.16%), shaking hand (20.16%), sharing utensils (26.08%), hugging (31.16%), sharing toilets (19.66%) and kissing (42.66%), as a possible mode of transmission. This indicates a higher degree of misconception about disease transmission is still among population [8]. In an another study Das et al, found that 20% medical students and 70% of general college students opined, shaking hand and mosquito bite as a possible mode of transmission [9]. In a study on adolescents, Bahulekeret al, observed that 40.6% of respondents stated physical contact in school or house could transmit AIDS and 25.5% replied that AIDS is an insect bite [10]. Saini et al, observed that 70% of population of 15-45 years of age quoted kissing and 20% as sharing of food and clothes of AIDS patient as a possible mode of spread [11]. In present study having sex with multiple partners was the most common high risk group as quoted by 81.66% students. Homosexuals (56.33%) students stated as a high risk group. Prostitute or other sex workers is opined by about 77.41%. Odujinrinet al, found that only 54.6% and 51.5% identified homosexuals and I/V drug users being at higher risk [12].

Conclusions:-
Among all respondent's predominance of age group of 15-20 years (59.16%) was observed. The most common vulnerable age group was youth as stated by 71.66 %. Regarding correct mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS multiple sex partners was stated as common mode by 81.66%. Blood transfusion was quoted by 81.91% and mothers to new born 70%. The most common incorrect mode of transmission was hugging 31.16%; kissing 42.66% and mosquito bite 32.16% as reported by students. The most common narrated mode of getting the disease was acquired 73% hereditary 21.5%and both 5.5% as stated by students. The most common causative agent is virus as stated by 77.33% students. Majority of student78.33% stated persistent fever,73,33% stated weight loss as a symptom of AIDS. The least common symptom was enlargement of gland 31.66%. The preventive effort must focus on increasing awareness of the risks of heterosexual transmission of HIV for people in dating relationship and on strengthening sexual communicating skills with no patterns. 1. Aggressive approach to make the public thoroughly aware by: 2. Seminars, talks and debates. 3. Dramas, contests, street and theatre plays. 4. Exhibition of cartoons, photos and painting.