A study of knowledge beliefs and attitudes regarding aids and human sexuality among medical college, engineering college and university Undergraduates of gorakhpur.

Abstract

Research Problem: i) What is the level of knowledge and altitude of undergraduates about AIDS and human sexuality? ii) What arc the preferred modes of obtaining such knowledge?. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of undergraduate students regarding AIDS and human sexuality. Study Design: Self administered questionnaire. Setting and Participants: 1289 undergraduates from B.R.D. Medical College., M. M. M. Engineering College and University of Gorakhpur. Study Variables: Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding AIDS and sexuality. Outcome Variables: Proportion of students having correct knowledge and positive attitudes.

Statistical Analysis: By proportions.

Result: l.evcl of knowledge about AIDS was generally high. Most of the students obtained knowledge about it through mass media. Few students had misconceptions about transmission of 1IIV infection. Knowledge about sex was obtained mainly from friends (36%) and books (31.31%). Most of the students preferred doctors (44.15%) and friends (43.66%) for asking something about sex. and not their parents (4.37%) or teachers (4.61%). 59.13% of boys and 34.49% of girls thought that students of their age had sex.

Conclusion and Recommendations: The most peculiar fact in (his study is that students have no reliable means of obtaining correct information about subjects related to sex. Medical profession contributed very little in providing such knowledge. Most of them relied on their friends for such information. So. emphasis is to be given on recommending proper education material for the youth.