AEGiS-14IAC: Base line behavioral surveillance survey in general population in India.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Base line behavioral surveillance survey in general population in India.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. TuOrC1232)

Panakadan S, Murthy GV, Rao JV
NACO, New Delhi, India

BACKGROUND: For the first time 1000 million Indians were sampled for a nationwide BSS in 2001. The survey covered all 35 States and UTs in India. 84478 people were administered a semi-open ended schedule.

METHODS: Multistage cluster sampling design was adopted. The entire country was divided into 22 sampling units and in each sampling unit it was proposed to cover 3840 persons aged 15-49. Equal number of male, female, urban and rural residents were included. Weighted analysis was done to determine the estimates to reflect the demographic characteristics of the country.

RESULTS: Overall, 76.1% respondents had heard of HIV/AIDS. Most respondents knew common modes of transmission, though there were wide inter state variations. Blood transfusion and sexual mode of transmission were most commonly known. Less than half (46.8%) respondents were aware that consistent condom use and living with an uninfected faithful sex partner were important in prevention. Less than 1 in 4 respondents knew that mosquito bites or sharing a meal with an infected person and that a healthy looking person could be suffering from HIV/AIDS. Only 1 in 5 respondents knew that a person suffering from STI was at a high risk of contracting HIV. 11.8% males and 2% females reported having indulged in a sexual liaison with a non-regular partner over a 12-month recall period. Among these persons, 49% reported having used a condom in their last sex. However 1 in 3 such respondents reported consistent condom use.

CONCLUSIONS: Though most respondents had heard of HIV/AIDS, their level of awareness regarding correct modes of prevention and knowledge of how HIV is not transmitted was low. Concerted efforts are needed to augment the awareness levels in the general population. The findings of the study are now being used by the State Governments to plan targeted interventions and to strengthen the IEC efforts.

Keywords: AEGIS, Data Collection, Condoms, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Sexual Partners, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Knowledge, India, Human, Female, Male, epidemiology, transmissionKWDaegis,datacollection,condoms,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,sexualpartners,healthknowledge,attitudes,practice,knowledge,india,human,female,male,epidemiology,transmission

020707
TuOrC1232

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.