Marseille 2007
| Abstract #630 - ONLY AWARENESS RAISING ACTIVITIES IS A CHALLENGE IN SCALING-UP HIV PREVENTION INTERVENTION | ||||
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Session: 26.91: Posters B (Poster) on Tuesday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Nazneen Akhter - HIV/AIDS and STD Alliance Bangladesh (HASAB), Bangladesh |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Nazneen Akhter, Dr Sharmina Rahman, | ||||
| Aim: The main objectives of the study is to assess the present knowledge level of the community people in HIV prevention intervention areas focussing only awareness raising. activities. and based on the findings of the study, formulate appropriate implementation action plan aimed at addressing some of the problems that continue to obstruct to operate pragmatic program for HIV/AIDS infected and affected. | ||||
| Method / Issue: A knowledge assessment study was conducted by HIV/AIDS and STD Alliance Bangladesh (HASAB) during May 2006 in the five areas of Dhaka division where HIV prevention program started from 2000 through different NGOs. In this study data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Qualitative data collection techniques have been applied for this assessment study. The researchers used structured questionnaire to assess knowledge and compare those with previous baseline study. Sample size of five different areas were fifty five number. | ||||
| Results / Comments: The study found that there is gap in knowledge level of the community people regarding HIV & AIDS and additional misconception also included within this knowledge level. The sample size included public, private & NGO worker , students businessman, cultivator & house wife who were aware on HIV & AIDS through different HIV prevention program. Scientific knowledge about transmissibility of HIV infection was poor: Only 19 person(35%) know the 3 ways of transmission, 16 person (29%) have adequate Knowledge about prevention (Use blood screening blood transmission, use condom, needle sharing ), 27 person (49.09%) have Reasonable Knowledge on how not transmitted (working in same desk, using same plate, use common toilet, same cloth, shaking hands, wearing same cloth and simple kissing) .And the question regarding individual risk perception 43 respondents ( 78% ) said they dont feel themselves vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Among the respondents 17 person (30%) are not worried at all about HIV because it is like other disease and also have medicine. | ||||
| Discussion: Our study revealed there is huge gaps in the knowledge on HIV infection. Most people have heard about HIV &AIDS but there is lack of specific knowledge on transmission, how not transmitted and prevention. Furthermore a new misconception arises that HIV is like other curable disease and also have medicine- is also alarming in HIV prevention program. This study also demonstrates the demand of a strong monitoring system for HIV awareness program. Voluntary counseling and testing services along with continuum of care and support program should be considered as an additional approach for reducing HIV transmission in those areas. After six years of preventive actions shows evidence of the failure of the preventive strategies. It is no longer sufficient to see prevention as the transfer of knowledge from professionals to the population. Preventive strategies such as voluntary testing , care & support and the participation of HIV positive persons in informative actions need to be developed. Prevention should be understood on new bases where monitoring and evaluation will play a strong role. | ||||
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