AEGiS-07IAC: Socio-cultural aspects of transmissible diseases: AIDS in Baoule' and Bete' rural context.

7th International AIDS Conference


Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

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Socio-cultural aspects of transmissible diseases: AIDS in Baoule' and Bete' rural context.

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:450 (abstract no. W.D.4251)
Caprara A, Dedy S, DeGregorio GC, Parenzi A, Salazar CM, Tape G; International Course for Primary Health Care Managers, Istituto Superiore di Sanita Rome, Italy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to better understand the socio-cultural aspects related to AIDS, and to identify differences between and among two major Ivorian ethnic groups, Bete and Baoule, with respect to their knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of AIDS. Such information will be useful for the planning and implementation of suitable information and education programmes.

METHODS: A combination of structured interviews to a cluster sample of 411 persons living in two administrative sub-districts of the country in order to obtain information on KAP related to AIDS, and of "focus groups" and semi-structured interviews to key-informers were used. Data were analysed using the EPI-info and SPSS statistical programmes and tested for statistical statistical significance and validity utilying chi-square and logistic regression stepwise procedure.

RESULTS: A greater than expected awareness of the AIDS problem (95% of people interviewed heard about it) was found. Better knowledge about AIDS was associated with higher educational level (p=.0001) and higher income (p less than 0.01) irrespectively of ethnic characteristics. Several misconceptions were highlighted about modes of transmission and some of them are related to the traditional explanation for the contagion of certain diseases. Even though a significant percentage of the people interviewed, correctly identified means of transmission and prevention, only a few stated that they have modified their behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS: The contents of health information campaigns on AIDS, should be closely related to the target societies' perceptions of the disease and its transmissibility. Strategies for future campaigns should include health education at school level, the introduction of health information through traditional communication systems (village assemblies) and the utilization of radio programmes in local language.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Communicable Diseases, Health Education, Ethnic Groups, Educational Status, Focus Groups, Attitude, Social Environment, ethnology, ICA7KWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,knowledge,attitudes,practice,communicablediseases,healtheducation,ethnicgroups,educationalstatus,focusgroups,attitude,socialenvironment,ethnology,ica7
910616
WD4251

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