Evaluation of a patient education manual.

A randomised controlled trial has shown that introducing a health education booklet describing the management of six common symptoms resulted in fewer consultations for the symptoms described by families receiving this booklet compared with a control group. A sample of the mothers in each group was subsequently followed up by an interview, at which a questionnaire was administered. This was designed to measure the mother''s knowledge of the management of the symptoms described. The booklet did not lead to any increase in knowledge in the mothers receiving it. The questionnaire did, however, show that 76% of the mother had consulted the booklet at some time in the year of the study and 28% had consulted it in the three months before interview. The important result was a fall in the new request for care for the symptoms described in the booklet. This may be interpreted as indicating that what patients need to respond appropriately to common symptoms of illness is a simple reference manual rather than an educational programme designed to increase their knowledge about the management of illness.     

Efficacy of a Food Safety Comic Book on Knowledge and Self-Reported Behavior for Persons Living with AIDS

Introduction

Persons living with AIDS are highly vulnerable to foodborne enteric infections with the potential for substantial morbidity and mortality. Educational materials about foodborne enteric infections intended for this immunocompromised population have not been assessed for their efficacy in improving knowledge or encouraging behavior change.

Methods/Results

AIDS patients in four healthcare facilities in Chicago, New Orleans, and Puerto Rico were recruited using fliers and word of mouth to healthcare providers. Those who contacted research staff were interviewed to determine food safety knowledge gaps and risky behaviors. A food safety educational comic book that targeted knowledge gaps was created, piloted, and provided to these patients who were instructed to read it and return at least 2 weeks later for a follow-up interview. The overall food safety score was determined by the number of the 26 knowledge/belief/behavior questions from the survey answered correctly. Among 150 patients who participated in both the baseline and follow-up questionnaire, the intervention resulted in a substantial increase in the food safety score (baseline 59%, post-intervention 81%, p<0.001). The intervention produced a significant increase in all the food safety knowledge, belief, and behavior items that comprised the food safety score. Many of these increases were from baseline knowledge below 80 percent to well above 90%. Most (85%) of the patients stated they made a change to their behavior since receiving the educational booklet.

Conclusion

This comic book format intervention to educate persons living with AIDS was highly effective. Future studies should examine to what extent long-term behavioral changes result.     

Female autonomy as a contributing factor to women's HIV-related knowledge and behaviour in three culturally contrasting States in India

Factors contributing to India's vulnerability to the AIDS epidemic include pervasive poverty, low levels of education and high gender stratification. This study uses data collected in the 1998-99 National Family Health Survey-2 (NFHS-2) to investigate the relationship between aspects of women's autonomy and four measures of HIV-related knowledge and behaviour--awareness and knowledge of HIV/AIDS, condom awareness and condom use--in three culturally contrasting states in India: Kerala (n=2884), Karnataka (n=4357) and Uttar Pradesh (n=8981). The NFHS-2 is a nationally representative survey of India, with a sampling scheme that was designed such that each state sample can be generalized back to represent ever-married women aged 15-49 living in the state. Kerala scores highest in the four health outcome measures, followed by Karnataka and then Uttar Pradesh, but condom use is lowest in Karnataka. Kerala also leads in the four dimensions of autonomy examined and in socio-demographic status, followed again by Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. Despite these observed differences, in all three states, women with greater autonomy as measured by this study were more likely to be knowledgeable about AIDS and condoms and to use condoms, after controlling for socio-demographic factors. These results concur with other studies focusing on women's autonomy and health outcomes around the world, and point to the importance of incorporating a gender-based approach to AIDS prevention programmes in India.     

Educational package on hypertension for primary care physicians.

The usefulness of an educational package on hypertension that provides clinically important, up-to-date medical information and office "aids" to primary care physicians was tested in a randomized controlled trial. Fifty-six physicians completed a pretest multiple-choice questionnaire and were allocated at random either to a group that received the educational package (the "study group") or to a control group. There was a highly significant correlation between the pretest scores and the number of years since graduation (r = -0.55, p less than 0.0001), which indicated that younger physicians are more likely than older physicians to have an up-to-date knowledge of the management of hypertension. The increase in knowledge in the study group (17.5%) was significantly greater than that in the control group (2.7%). Furthermore, although the post-test scores in the control group were still significantly correlated with the number of years since graduation, those in the study group were not. It was concluded that although the older physicians knew less than their younger colleagues about hypertension, the use of the educational package significantly increased knowledge, and the increase was not limited by the physician''s age.     

Randomized trial of a video-based patient decision aid for bariatric surgery

The decision to have bariatric surgery should be based on accurate information on possible risks and benefits of all treatment options. The goal of this study was to determine whether a video-based bariatric decision aid intervention results in superior decision quality compared to an educational booklet. We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled trial among adult patients in a single health plan who met standard criteria for bariatric surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to review either a video-based decision aid (intervention) or an educational booklet on bariatric surgery (control). Changes in patient decision quality were assessed using bariatric-specific measures of knowledge, values, and treatment preference after 3 months. Of 152 eligible participants, 75 were randomly assigned to the intervention and 77 to the control. The 3-month follow-up rate was 95%. Among all participants, significant improvements were observed in knowledge (P < 0.001), values concordance (P = 0.009), decisional conflict (P < 0.001), decisional self-efficacy (P < 0.001), and in the proportion who were "unsure" of their treatment choice (P < 0.001). The intervention group had larger improvements in knowledge (P = 0.03), decisional conflict (P = 0.03), and outcome expectancies (P = 0.001). The proportion of participants choosing bariatric surgery did not differ significantly between groups, although there was a trend toward decreased surgical choice in the intervention group (59% booklet vs. 42% video at 3 months; P = 0.16). The use of bariatric surgery decision aids was followed by improved decision quality and reduced uncertainty about treatment at 3 months. The video-based decision aid appeared to have a greater impact than the educational booklet on patient knowledge, decisional conflict, and outcome expectancies.     

Consistent condom use dynamics among sex workers in Central America: 1997-2000

The paper aims to provide evidence on consistent condom use dynamics among sex workers in Central America between 1997 and 2000, and to examine the most important predictors of use behaviour important for policy and programme interventions in the region. Data on 3500 sex workers, 1500 from 1997 and 2000 from the year 2000, were analysed. The samples represented sex workers in low socioeconomic neighbourhoods who met their clients at known sex establishments or by the roadside. Sex workers were more likely to have used condoms consistently in 2000 than in 1997 (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.4, p < or = 0.05). Sex workers who discussed condoms with their partners or lovers used them consistently with all clients more than those who did not (OR = 1.3, p < or = 0.10). Knowledge of condom advantages had a positive influence on consistent use. Sex workers who reported using condoms to prevent pregnancy or STDs used them consistently with all clients more than those who did not (OR = 1.2, and 1.3 respectively, p < or = 0.10). The source of condoms is an important predictor of consistent condom use. Sex workers who bought condoms from health establishments or from brothels used them consistently more than those who did not (both OR = 1.3, p < or = 0.10, and p < or = 0.05, respectively). Self-efficacy had a positive effect on consistent condom use. Sex workers who reported that they would use condoms even if clients offered to pay more for unprotected sex used them consistently with all clients more than those who did not (OR = 18, p < or = 0.001). The findings suggest that having condom skill is positively related to condom use. Sex workers who had all four skills used condoms more consistently than those who had none (OR = 1.6, p < or = 0.01). In order to increase consistent condom use and avert more incidences of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, programme interventions need to use the most efficient way to provide quality information, and provide repeated training on condom negotiation and use skills to sex workers.     

On the road: Croatian truck drivers, commercial sex and HIV/AIDS

The primary aims of this study were to examine Croatian truck drivers' sexual contact with sex workers, estimate the frequency of condom use, and assess knowledge of HIV/AIDS within this population. The research was conducted from June 14 to September 16, 2005 at customs offices and accompanying parking lots in four Croatian cities. The sample consists of 69 truck drivers. Information about sexual behavior and condom use were gathered by using a semi-structured interview. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, measured with a self-administered questionnaire, was found to be low. Six respondents (8.7%) had correctly answered all 13 questions. By contrast, 73% of drivers considered themselves well informed about HIV/AIDS, indicating that most drivers overestimate their knowledge. The majority of respondents (n=62) assumed that most of their colleagues engage in sexual contact with sex workers while on the road, although only one third of respondents reported that they personally have paid for sex. All of the respondents who reported engaging in sexual contact with sex workers stated that they always use condoms. Fear of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection was reported as the main reason for condom use.     

From awareness to adoption: the effect of AIDS education and condom social marketing on condom use in Tanzania (1993-1996)

This paper uses retrospective event-history data covering a four-year period to examine the timing of exposure to HIV/AIDS education and social marketing condom promotion campaigns, relative to the timing of changes in sexual risk behaviour in Tanzania. Analysis of the event-history data shows that the process of exposure to AIDS education messages and exposure to brand advertising for Salama brand condoms was very different. While exposure to AIDS education was early and gradual, exposure to Salama brand condoms started later, but was much more rapid. After one year of advertising, over half of the target population had been reached by the Salama advertising campaign, mostly through newspapers, radio and television. During the study period, condom use increased from 15% at the beginning of 1993 to 42% at the end of 1996. Increases in condom use were driven both by men who became sexually active, and by men who were not yet protected, or not fully protected. The results further show that it is uncommon for men who adopted condom use to return to more risky behaviour, which suggests that behaviour change in the study population is permanent.     

Integrating mental health into primary health care in Iraq

The Ministry of Health in Iraq is undertaking a systematic programme to integrate mental health into primary care in order to increase population access to mental health care. This paper reports the evaluation of the delivery of a ten day interactive training programme to 20% of primary care centres across Iraq. The multistage evaluation included a pre- and post-test questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice in health workers drawn from 143 health centres, a course evaluation questionnaire and, in a random sample of 41 clinics, direct observation of health workers skills and exit interviews of patients, comparing health workers who had received the training programme with those from the same clinics who had not received the training. Three hundred andseventeen health workersparticipated in the training, which achieved an improvement in test scores from 42.3% to 59%. Trained health workers were observed by research psychiatrists to have a higher level of excellent skills than the untrained health workers, and patient exit interviews also reported better skills in the trained rather than untrained health workers. The two week course has thus been able to achieve significant change, not only in knowledge, but also in subsequent demonstration of trained practitioners practical skills in the workplace. Furthermore, it has been possible to implement the course and the evaluation despite a complex conflict situation.     

Determinants of condom use among youth in Madagascar

The objective of this study was to identify the key determinants of condom use with regular and casual partners among youth in Madagascar.Data stem from a reproductive health survey conducted in October-December 2000 among a representative sample of 2440 youth aged 15-24 living in Toamasina province. Following theoretical models of behaviour change, logistic regression was used to assess the effect of AIDS awareness,personal risk perception, condom access, perceived condom effectiveness,self-efficacy and social support on condom use. Among sexually experienced youth, only about four in ten males and two in ten females have ever used condoms. Fewer than 15% of youth used a condom in last intercourse with their regular partner. Whether youth will try condoms appears to depend largely on the perceived effectiveness of condoms for family planning, access to a nearby condom source, parental support for condom use, and patterns of risky sexual behaviour. Young males' likelihood of using a condom with a regular partner increases significantly if they perceive condoms to be effective for family planning (OR=11.4; p=0.019). For females, it increases with level of self-efficacy (OR=2 1; p=0.042) and having discussed HIV prevention with someone in the last year (OR=2.8; p=0.022). Among males,condom use with casual partners is significantly higher among those who perceive themselves to be at high risk of sexually transmitted infections(OR=2.3; p=0.014), who believe condoms are effective for family planning(OR=2.8; p=0.048), who have good access to condoms (OR=2.9; p=0.002)and who perceive their parents support condom use (OR=1-7; p=0.048). In conclusion, very few youth in Toamasina are using condoms, highlighting the need to continue and expand adolescent reproductive health interventions. In this low HIV prevalence setting, it is important for these programmes to emphasize that condoms are effective for both pregnancy prevention and STI/HIV prevention.     

HIV/AIDS and Croatian migrant workers

Due to their geographical mobility and long periods of separation from intimate partners, migrant workers are at increased risk for a variety of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS. This study sought to investigate patterns in HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviour in migrant workers in Croatia. In 2003, 566 male migrant workers were recruited during regular required medical examinations and surveyed at seven locations throughout the country. Each participant was asked to complete a self-administered KABP (sexual knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices) questionnaire. The average age of respondents was 38.2 years and the majority worked as seafarers (77.3%) and construction workers (20.5%). Only 18.5% of respondents were able to correctly answer all 13 questions assessing knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Seafarers reported higher levels of knowledge than did construction workers. The average respondent reported having had two sexual partners in the last 12 months, with slightly over half of the respondents (55.3%) reporting condom use at their last intercourse with a casual partner. One fifth of the respondents (20.3%) who reported having had intercourse with a sex worker during the last year reported not using condoms at last intercourse. The number of sexual partners was correlated with age, marital status, faith in God, and personal HIV risk assessment. Attitudes toward condom use, co-workers' HIV/AIDS concerns and the duration of migrant status (within the last two years) were shown to be significant correlates of condom use at last intercourse with a casual partner. The effect of HIV/AIDS related knowledge on analyzed behaviors did not reach statistical significance. Inadequate patterns of migrant workers' condom use, gaps in knowledge about HIV transmission and modes of protection, as well as widespread ignorance regarding available anonymous HIV testing found by this study suggest a critical need for expert intervention to avert the potential for an increase in new HIV/AIDS cases. A coordinated, systematic campaign for HIV/AIDS prevention among Croatian migrant workers should focus on increasing peer communication about HIV/AIDS, especially among younger migrant workers, and on reducing the frequency of sexual risk taking.     

Sexual Risk Behaviours and Willingness to Be Circumcised among Uncircumcised Adult Men in Uganda

Background

There has been substantial demand for safe male circumcision (SMC) in Uganda in the early programme scale-up phase. Research indicates that early adopters of new interventions often differ from later adopters in relation to a range of behaviours. However, there is limited knowledge about the risk profile of men who were willing to be circumcised at the time of launching the SMC programme, i.e., potential early adopters, compared to those who were reluctant. The aim of this study was to address this gap to provide indications on whether it is likely that potential early adopters of male circumcision were more in need of this new prevention measure than others.

Methods

Data were from the 2011 Uganda AIDS Indictor Survey (UAIS), with a nationally representative sample of men 15 to 59 years. The analysis was based on generalized linear models, obtaining prevalence risk ratios (PRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) as measures of association between willingness to be circumcised and multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, non-marital sex and non-use of condoms at last non-marital sex.

Results

Of the 5,776 men in the survey, 44% expressed willingness to be circumcised. Willingness to be circumcised was higher among the younger, urban and educated men. In the unadjusted analyses, all the sexual risk behaviours were associated with willingness to be circumcised, while in the adjusted analysis, non-marital sex (Adj PRR 1.27; CI: 1.16–1.40) and non-use of condoms at last such sex (Adj PRR 1.18; CI: 1.07–1.29) were associated with higher willingness to be circumcised.

Conclusion

Willingness to be circumcised was relatively high at the launch of the SMC programme and was more common among uncircumcised men reporting sexual risk behaviours. This indicates that the early adopters of SMC were likely to be in particular need of such additional HIV protective measures.     

Iron deficiency anemia in the elderly: the diagnostic process.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of physician probability estimates calculated on the basis of findings from history-taking and physical examination in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in elderly patients. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Two community hospitals offering secondary and tertiary care. PATIENTS: A total of 259 patients over 65 years of age found to have previously undiagnosed anemia. MEASURES: Physician estimates of the likelihood of iron deficiency before (pretest probability) and after (post-test probability) the laboratory test results were available. The hemogram was available to the physicians when they made their pretest probability estimates. Because the serum ferritin level proved to be the most powerful of the laboratory test results studied, the likelihood ratios associated with the post-test estimates were compared with the ratios associated with the serum ferritin level. MAIN RESULTS: The post-test probability estimates were influenced by the serum ferritin level and the pretest estimates. The post-test estimates derived from the findings obtained through history-taking and physical examination and the laboratory test results (including the serum ferritin level) were slightly less accurate in predicting iron deficiency than the serum ferritin level alone. Nevertheless, a model in which the pretest estimates were used in addition to the serum ferritin level to predict iron deficiency proved to be more powerful than the serum ferritin level alone (p = 0.006). This indicated that the limitations of the post-test estimates were due to a misinterpretation of the serum ferritin level and that the findings from history-taking and physical examination added important diagnostic information. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians must be aware of test properties to provide optimal care to their patients. If test results are properly interpreted, pretest probabilities derived from findings obtained through history-taking and physical examination can add useful information that will lead to more accurate diagnoses.     

HIV prevention in high-risk women in South Africa: condom use and the need for change

Introduction

Young women are at disproportionate risk of HIV infection in South Africa. Understanding risk behaviors and factors associated with ability to negotiate safe sex and condom use is likely to be key in curbing the spread of HIV. Traditionally prevention efforts have focused on creating behavioral changes by increasing knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional analysis from a prospective observational cohort study of 245 women at a high-risk of HIV infection in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Results

Participants demonstrated a high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge. Overall, 60.3% of participants reported condom use. Reported condom use at last sexual encounter varied slightly by partner type (57.0% with steady versus 64.4% with casual partners), and self-perceived ability to choose to use a condom was significantly lower with steady partners compared to casual partners (p<0.01). In multivariate analysis, women who had high school education were more likely to use condoms at their last sex encounter compared to those with only primary school education (RR of 1.36 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.06–1.75) and 1.46 (95% CI 1.13–1.88) for grades 8–10 and 11–12, respectively). Those who used condoms as a contraceptive method were twice as likely to use condoms compared to women who did not report using them as a contraceptive method. Greater perceived ability to choose to use condoms was associated with higher self-reported condom use at last encounter, irrespective of partner type (RR = 2.65 (95% CI 2.15–32.5).

Discussion

Self-perceived ability to use condoms, level of formal education and condom use as a contraceptive were all significantly associated with self-reported condom use at last sexual encounter. These findings suggest that that gender inequality and access to formal education, as opposed to lack of HIV/AIDS knowledge, prevent safer sexual practices in South Africa.     

HIV risk behaviors among outpatients with severe mental illness in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

We conducted the first study to examine rates of sexual activity, sexual risk behaviors, sexual protective behaviors, injection drug use (IDU), needle sharing, and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among outpatients with severe mental illness (SMI) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Using a measure with demonstrated reliability, we found that 42% of 98 patients engaged in vaginal or anal sex within the past three months. Comorbid substance use disorder was significantly associated with sexual activity. Only 22% of sexually active patients used condoms consistently, despite having better HIV knowledge than those who were sexually abstinent. Overall, 45% of patients reported not engaging in any HIV protective behaviors. There were no reports of drug injection. Adults with SMI in Brazil are in need of efficacious HIV prevention programs and policies that can sustain these programs within mental health treatment settings.     

Virtual assessment,training, and evaluation of clinical laboratory technologists amidst peak Covid-19 pandemic: An observational study

Medical technologists are considered a neglected group when it comes to academic interventions. We developed and implemented an educational intervention and assessment for the technologists based on an online questionnaire as a pre-test consisting of questions related to knowledge (n=5), attitude (n=3), and practices (n=4) of daily internal quality control (QC) monitoring via Google Docs survey tool. This study served multiple purposes. It allowed keeping the technologists engaged during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic while also improving the knowledge, attitude, and practices about the internal quality control using Bio-Rad Unity Real Time (URT) QC software. Subjects were graded based on the scores they received out of 100 (0-60 = poor; 61-79 = good; 80-100 = excellent). Training materials, i.e., a set of 5 videos every week via e-mail, were circulated. A voice-over PowerPoint presentation was also shared for easy comprehension. This activity was repeated after one month. A post-test was administered to assess the improvement. The study results show significant improvement in the technologists'' performance after the intervention.     

Consistency in condom use in the context of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe

Against the backdrop of a high prevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus infection in Zimbabwe, this paper analyses data from the 1997 Zimbabwe Sexual Behaviour and Condom Use Survey to throw light on the degree to which sexually active adults consistently use condoms in high-risk sexual situations. The multivariate results indicate that at the time of the survey, consistent condom use in non-marital relationships is significantly higher for males than females, higher among those who had access to information about condoms from multiple sources than among those with limited access, and higher among those who have positive attitudes to condoms than among those with negative attitudes. Even though consistent condom use with non-marital partners is higher for those who know a source where condoms can be obtained, this effect is due to the fact that these respondents have more positive attitudes towards condoms. Likewise, the higher levels of consistent condom use exhibited by those who are aware of the efficacy of condoms are due to the fact that men have higher awareness of this, and men use condoms more consistently than women. In sum, the results suggest that the effects of the respondents' sex and their knowledge of the prophylactic importance of condoms and where condoms might be obtained are a function of other socioeconomic advantages they have. It is, therefore, concluded that programmes that use mass media information, education and communication campaigns to reduce shyness, embarrassment and stigma about condom use can help increase consistent use of condoms in non-marital relationships in Zimbabwe.     

AIDS awareness among rural Utah physicians.

Studies of physicians'' attitudes and knowledge of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the clinical precautions they take against exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have focused on urban physicians. To determine rural physicians'' knowledge and attitudes about AIDS, a questionnaire was mailed to 321 physicians practicing in rural Utah. Of the 169 physicians who completed questionnaires, 96% thought that their community or area of service had only a minor or no problem with AIDS; 89%, however, thought that their chance of seeing a patient who was HIV-positive was fair to moderate. Of the 169 respondents, 3% were not sure whether they would even treat a patient who had AIDS, 67% said they would, and 30% said they would not. Although all physicians are at risk of seeing a patient who has had exposure to HIV and other blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B, only 55% of the respondents felt a need to take clinical precautions to prevent their exposure to the virus. Our study shows the need for all rural Utah physicians to reevaluate their risk of exposure to HIV, to increase precautionary measures for their own protection, to consider the ethical responsibility of treating AIDS patients, and to take a more active role in teaching their patients how to protect themselves from exposure to the virus.     

Getting the Message Across: Outcomes and Risk Profiles by Awareness Levels of the “Measure-Up” Obesity Prevention Campaign in Australia

Background

Obesity campaign evaluations have used campaign awareness to assess impact, yet have not compared unprompted campaign recallers, with prompted recallers and those with no campaign recall. Using data from an Australian mass-media obesity prevention campaign linking waist circumference and chronic disease we examined whether those with different degrees of campaign recall are distinct groups demographically and for subsequent campaign effects.

Methods

A national cross-sectional telephone survey of randomly selected adults aged 18 to 65 years was conducted post- campaign (n = 2812) covering campaign recall, self-reported diet and physical activity (PA) and waist-measuring knowledge, behaviours and intentions to make lifestyle changes. Respondents were divided into three groups indicating campaign recall: Unprompted Recallers (n=1154); Prompted Recallers (n=1284); and No Recallers (n=374) and compared on demographic, knowledge, and behavioural risk factors for obesity/chronic disease.

Results

Unprompted Recallers were more likely to speak English at home (p<.001), be in the primary campaign target group (25-45 years with children) (p<0.001) than the other two groups and to be university educated and female than the Prompted Recall group only (p=0.001). Unprompted Recallers had better knowledge about recommended waist circumference (p<.001), fruit (p=0.004), vegetable (p<0.001) and PA guidelines (p<0.001) than both the other groups. The No Recall group was less likely than the other two to be overweight/obese (46% vs 55%, p=0.020 and 54%, p=0.037), comparable on meeting fruit consumption and PA guidelines but more likely to meet vegetable intake recommendations (than Unprompted Recallers only).

Conclusions

Unprompted recallers were more knowledgeable about campaign messages; behaviour change and intentions to change were stronger for the two recall groups compared with the No Recall group but not different between them. The current analysis revealed subtle differences in campaign exposure and/or attendance by different demographic subgroups that would not be apparent in a simple aware/unaware dichotomy.     

英德市吸毒人群艾滋病知识知晓情况及影响因素分析

目的了解英德市吸毒人群艾滋病知识知晓率及其影响因素,为制定吸毒人群行为干预措施提供科学依据。方法对英德市强制戒毒所内的吸毒者进行面对面问卷调查。结果吸毒者以男性为主,占94.88%;年龄以20～39岁为主,占76.36%;文化程度(初中及以下)为主,占90.58%,静脉注射吸毒者占69.09%,其中33.73%吸毒时共用注射器;3.86%与固定性伴发生性行为时每次均用安全套;28.93%发生过商业性行为,27.43%发生商业性行为时每次均用安全套;艾滋病知识知晓率为75.87%,文化程度初中及其以下、年龄20～39岁、同居和接受过艾滋病知识教育是影响吸毒人群艾滋病知识知晓率的主要因素。结论英德市吸毒人群对艾滋病防治知识知晓率较低,高危行为发生较严重,应在吸毒人群中开展艾滋病知识的健康教育和行为干预,遏制艾滋病在该人群的传播或由该人群向一般人群扩散。