AEGiS-07IAC: HIV-related knowledge among military recruits before and after an health education program.

7th International AIDS Conference


Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

Print this Article


HIV-related knowledge among military recruits before and after an health education program.

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:448 (abstract no. W.D.4240)
Bergamini F, Del Corno G, Giannelli F, Rastrelli M, Suprani A, Pilato T; University of Milan, Italy

OBJECTIVE: So far the only available preventive measures for AIDS rely upon health information and education programs. For this purpose a survey on the HIV - related knowledge was carried out among 11,000 military recruits on duty at the "3 (o) Corpo d'Armata", before and after an education program.

METHODS: Relevant information was collected through two anonymous self-completed questionnaire. Data have been analyzed by statistical methods suitable for nominal or categorical variables.

RESULTS: The non response rate was negligible (0.87%). Ninetyfive percent of the participants reported having HIV-related knowledge and more than 1/5 judged them as good or excellent. Although mass media were the most quoted source of information, 32% reported having discussed AIDS in school, 24% with their parents and 14% with their doctor. Most of the recruits knew that HIV can be transmitted by sharing needles or from having sexual intercourse with infected persons.

CONCLUSION: Correct answers to the principal topics increased after the educational program, suggesting that now attention should be paid to improve young people's consciousness on the risks related to other common behaviours.

Keywords: AEGIS, Health Education, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Military Personnel, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Schools, Knowledge, Students, Questionnaires, Needle Sharing, Data Collection, Teaching Materials, education, ICA7KWDaegis,healtheducation,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,militarypersonnel,knowledge,attitudes,practice,schools,knowledge,students,questionnaires,needlesharing,datacollection,teachingmaterials,education,ica7
910616
WD4240

Copyright © 1991 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.