To assess the knowledge and attitude of college students in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh towards HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and sexuality

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major public health problem in India. It affects young people of sexually active age group. A number of Knowledge, Attitude and practice studies conducted in different parts of India revealed widespread ignorance and mis-concepts about the disease among young people. Young students are the budding professionals and future of India who have just entered the temples of learning. Thus there is a need to assess the existing knowledge and attitude towards HIV/ AIDS among students of Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. Aims and Objectives of the study: To Assess the knowledge and attitude about the spread, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and sexuality. To assess the impact of gender and place of residence of the students on the knowledge and attitude. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross sectional, survey based, community education study of one-year duration among 2000 students of randomly selected 15 colleges of Hamirpur District of Himachal Pradesh. After taking informed consent, students were given predesigned and pretested questionnaire to provide information on Knowledge and attitude regarding HIV and AIDS. Results: The results of 2000 students who voluntarily participated in the study there were 1345 (67.25 %) girls and 655 (32.75%) boys. Over all awareness among boys and girls was very high (70.6 %) on Knowledge of and attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Though general level of students about HIV/AIDS is quite high and it is not poor but they have some mis-concepts about it. More education is required.