Relationships Between Adolescents' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Fears Related to HIV/AIDS

To explore adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and fears of HIV/AIDS and to examine relationships between these variables and demographic variables among female adolescents.

HIV/AIDS is one of the major public health concerns all around the world, including India. Although the prevalence of HIV infection is low, it is still considered a high risk among Indian youth because of low and inaccurate HIV/AIDs knowledge, low condom usage and unsafe sexual practice, and lack of access to information.

A descriptive correlational design was used in this study. A convenience sample of 150 adolescents attending one of the girls' high schools completed demographic and HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude questions in June 2018. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson-product-moment correlation coefficients.

The majority of adolescents had a moderate degree of HIV/AIDS knowledge, however; many of them still had misconceptions about modes of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention of HIV infection. Most of the adolescents had fairly positive attitudes and beliefs toward people with HIV/AIDS. About three-fourths of the participants were afraid of getting HIV/AIDS. The total HIV/AIDS knowledge was positively correlated with age (r = 0.288, p < .000), fathers' education (r = 0.235, p < .003), fear of getting HIV infection (r = 0.222, p < .005), and discussion about sexually transmitted diseases with parents (r = 0.195, p < .01).

The findings indicate a need for educating students on HIV/AIDS, which can be accomplished by incorporating information regarding HIV transmission and prevention into their school curriculum. School-based educational program could be beneficial.