Sudha R T, Vijay D T, Lakshmi V
Department of Microbiology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Indian J Med Sci. 2005 Jul;59(7):307-16.
Information is the first step in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention. Ignorance about the disease and how the virus is transmitted can generate fear and prejudice towards those who are infected.
To assess the awareness, attitudes, and beliefs of the general public toward HIV/AIDS in Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh.
A cross-sectional study conducted for a period of 2 months in 2004 on 800 individuals living in Hyderabad.
A survey was conducted with a questionnaire titled 'General Population Behavioral Surveillance Survey.' The survey used a 5-part, 65-item questionnaire eliciting information about the knowledge of HIV (10 items), modes of transmission (20 items), ways of prevention (10 items), society's attitude toward HIV (15 items), and finally evaluation of Government's measures (10 items).
Approximately 80.63% (645/800) of the study population were sketchily aware of HIV/AIDS, but had incorrect perceptions about the mode of transmission or prevention. Despite the vigorous outreach programmes, which the government and other organizations had carried out in the city, many people had several misconceptions about HIV or about people living with HIV/AIDS.
As it was observed that awareness was more among the literates, the Government and Health educators should provide tailor-made education programmes for those at the lower education levels.
信息是预防人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）的第一步。对该疾病以及病毒传播方式的无知会引发对感染者的恐惧和偏见。
评估印度安得拉邦首府海得拉巴市公众对HIV/AIDS的认知、态度和信念。
2004年对海得拉巴市800名居民进行了为期2个月的横断面研究。
采用一份名为“普通人群行为监测调查”的问卷进行调查。该调查使用了一份由65个项目组成的五部分问卷，获取有关HIV知识（10项）、传播方式（20项）、预防方法（10项）、社会对HIV的态度（15项）以及最后对政府措施的评价（10项）的信息。
约80.63%（645/800）的研究人群对HIV/AIDS略有了解，但对传播方式或预防存在错误认知。尽管政府和其他组织在该市开展了积极的外展项目，但许多人对HIV或HIV/AIDS感染者仍有一些误解。
鉴于观察到识字者的认知程度更高，政府和健康教育工作者应为受教育程度较低者提供量身定制的教育项目。
