A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding HIV/AIDS Among Young Adults in Selected Areas, Mumbai

Alex Merlin

Lecturer, Holy Family Institute of Nursing Education, Mumbai.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: dilodema1214@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life. But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among young adults in selected areas, Mumbai. H1 -There is significant association between the level of knowledge with selected demographic variables. Research Design – Survey method. Sample Size – 150 Young adults. CONCLUSION: As per the survey, among 150 young adults, 65 young adults had poor level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. This showing a significant reduction in the level of knowledge.

KEYWORDS: Knowledge, Young adults, HIV/AIDS.

INTRODUCTION:

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a major and one of the most serious public health challenges in today’s world. An estimated 35.3 million people across the world are infected with HIV ¹. According to the joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), HIV is one of the leading causes of mortality across the globe ². A major proportion of HIV infected individuals reside in the developing world, of which the populous countries of the Asian subcontinent are of major concern.

· A person with HIV is considered to have progressed to AIDS when:

· the number of their CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood.

· Globally, 25.4 million people living with HIV were receiving ART in 2019. This equates to a global ART coverage rate of 67%. However, more efforts are needed to scale up treatment, particularly for children and adolescents. Only 53% of children were receiving ART at the end of 2019.

· Expanding access to treatment is set for target 2020, which aim to bring the world back on track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.^3,4

NEED FOR STUDY:

· Due to gaps in HIV services, 6,90,000 people died from HIV-related causes in 2019 and 1.7 million people were newly infected.

· Key population groups and their sexual partners accounted for over 60% of all new HIV infections globally among the age group 15-49 years an estimated 62% in 2019^. ²

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

· Research Design – Survey

· Sample Size – 150 Young adults

· Sampling Technique – Convenient Sampling

· Tool: Section A – Demographic Data

· Section B – Questionnaire

OBJECTIVES:

· To assess the level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among young adults.

· To associate the level of knowledge with the selected demographic variables.

HYPOTHESIS

H1 -There is significant association between the level of knowledge with selected demographic variables.

METHODOLOGY:

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:

I. Demographic data of young adult

II. Assessment of the level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among young adults.

III. Association of level knowledge among young adults with the selected demographic data.

RESULTS:

Regarding age , categories of the respondents has been divided into three different categories. Among young adults, 39% of belongs to 18-23 yrs, 35% of belongs to 24- 29yrs, 25% of belongs to30 – 35 yrs.

Regarding religion categories of the respondents has been divided into four different categories. Among young adults,38% of belongs to Hindu, 30% of belongs to Muslim, 28% of belongs to Christian, 4% of belongs to others.

Regarding marital status categories of the respondents has been divided into five different categories. Among young adults, 50% of belongs to married, 1% of belongs to windowed, 3% of belongs to divorced, 14% of belongs to separate, 31% of belongs to single.

Regarding qualification categories of the respondents has been divided into six different categories. Among young adults, 17% of belongs to Less than high school, 33% of belongs to Secondary education, 39% of belongs to Graduation, 7% of belongs to Post graduation, 1% of belongs to Doctoral degree, 4% of belong to Other.

disability, 9% of belong to student, 2% of belong to others.

Assessment of the Level of Knowledge Regarding Hiv/Aids Among Young Adults:

On analysis, among young adult majority 65(43%) had poor knowledge, the 35(23%) had average knowledge, 28(19%) had good knowledge and the remaining22 (15%) had excellent knowledge.

Associate the Level of Knowledge with the selected Demographic Variables:

As per the survey, among 150 young adults, 65 young adults had poor level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. This showing a significant reduction in the level of knowledge.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

· The study can be conducted in larger population.

· Comparative study can be done to assess parent to child transmission among young adults.

CONCLUSION:

As per the survey, among 150 young adults, 65 young adults had poor level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. This showing a significant reduction in the level of knowledge Regarding occupation categories of the respondents has been divided into five different categories. Among young adults,30% of belongs to Full time job, 21% of belongs to Part time job, 28% of belongs to Unemployed, 10% of belongs to Not working due to

REFERENCES:

1. “UNAIDS Report on the global AIDS epidemic,” 2013, http://www.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/docum ents/epidemiology/2013/gr2013/UNAIDS_Global_Report_2013_e n.pdf.View at: Google Scholar

2. UNAIDS,“AIDS epidemic update,” 2009, http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/HIVData/EpiU pdate/EpiUpdArchive/2009/default.asp.View at: Google Scholar

3. kayaker M, Srivastava S, Saran A, Coutinho E.J Pept Sci. 2004 Jun;10(6):363-80. doi: 10.1002/psc.530.PMID: 15214441

4. The Surveillance and Epidemiology page of the NACO’s website (http://naco.gov.in/surveillance-epidemiology-0)