Publication:

A cross sectional study conducted to assess knowledge and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among attendees of integrated counselling and testing centre at Sagar, Madhya Pradesh

Background Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has emerged as one of most serious public health problem in the country. ICTC (integrated counseling and testing centre) provides a key entry point for the 'continuum of care in HIV/AIDS' for all segments of the population. This study was conducted to assess knowledge and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among attendees of ICTC because awareness is only means to reduce prevalence of any disease in absence of availability of treatment and cure.

Methods The study was conducted among attendees of integrated counseling and testing centre who were visited at the centre for HIV testing. It was a cross-sectional, observational study and conducted at ICTC attached to Microbiology Department of Bundelkhand Medical College, Sagar.

Results Majority of study subjects (34.96%) had a relatively poor knowledge about HIV/AIDS. In spite of having awareness, the respondents had lack of complete knowledge about the root cause of HIV/AIDS and had misconceptions about the mode of transmission.

Conclusions Gender, education, residence, caste and socio-economic status showed the significant association with knowledge score regarding HIV/AIDS. IEC activities should be planned in local language incorporating locally derived data pertaining to various social norms, cultural beliefs and sensitivities of community.