A prospective observational study evaluating the knowledge and attitude on hiv/aids of public high schools students in urban and rural areas

Joint Event on 9^th International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases & 6^th World Congress on Control and Prevention of HIV/AIDS, STDs & STIs

August 27-28, 2018 | Zurich, Switzerland

Nadine Kathlene Cinco-Almodovar, Jennie Wong and Violeta Valderrama

Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, Philippines

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

Background: Lack of knowledge about HIV among the Filipino population is troubling. Since there is an increase in the number of cases in the younger age group, primary prevention of HIV infection needs to start in adolescence. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude on HIV/AIDS of public high school students in urban and rural areas. Design: Prospective Observational Study Subject: Grade 7-10 students enrolled for the school year 2017 to 2018 Setting: Public High School in Urban and Rural areas Methodology: Students were randomly selected. Scores from the pre-test served as the control group. Post-tests were done to assess the effectiveness PowerPoint presentation lecture. Statistical Analysis: Paired T-test test used as data analysis. Results: Total participants were of 855. Majority were females both in the urban (25.5%) and rural areas (31.9%). Majority were 13 years old (22.9%). Participantâ??s source of information on HIV/ AIDS is through television (50%). Study showed that there was a high rate of baseline knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS both in the urban and rural areas. However, some misconceptions also prevail. Results of score for basic knowledge and transmission before and after the intervention for both Urban and Rural areas were found to be statistically significant (p <0.001; CI=95%). The attitude of the students towards HIV/AIDS also increased in rate after the intervention for both Urban and Rural area. Students in the rural area had higher level of knowledge compared to students in the urban area (p <0.001). Conclusions: Educational programs on HIV/AIDS prevention are effective and beneficial to high school students both in rural and urban areas. This highlights the importance of including HIV/AIDS awareness lectures in the school education of adolescents..

Biography :

E-mail: nadinecincomd@gmail.com