KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND BELIEFS ON HIV/AIDS AMONG THE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN SOUTH INDIA

HIV has become a serious problem in India with one of the highest rates of spread in the world. Many factors like poverty, illiteracy, a large and young population and an increasing level of urbanization contribute to India’s vulnerability concerning the transmission of HIV. To prevent the further spread of HIV, it is fundamental that people have a good knowledge about the disease. Since many risk behaviours, associated with the transmission of HIV, are adopted in young ages, it is very important to put much of the prevention of efforts on adolescents. Therefore, this aims to investigate and compare knowledge about AIDS / HIV and to know attitude and beliefs regarding this disease, among college going students in Madurai Region, South India. 400 students from the different colleges of arts and science were given pre-tested questionnaire to examine college students' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding HIV and AIDS and need for sex education and AIDS awareness programme. Multiple regression technique was used to assess the influence of individual and family characteristic on AIDS knowledge. The analysis revealed that knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS is grossly inadequate. There is immense need to conduct awareness programme about AIDS / HIV at Colleges Level. Findings suggest intensification of AIDS education campaign