Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to HIV and AIDS among college students in Taiwan

A hybrid of long short-term memory neural network and autoregressive integrated moving average model in forecasting HIV incidence and morality of post-neonatal population in East Asia: global burden of diseases 2000-2019

Background

To forecast the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence and mortality of post-neonatal population in East Asia including North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, Japan and China Mainland and Taiwan province.

Methods

The data on the incidence and mortality of HIV in post-neonatal population from East Asia were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD). The morbidity and mortality of post-neonatal HIV population from GBD 2000 to GBD 2013 were applied as the training set and the morbidity and mortality from GBD 2014 to GBD 2019 were used as the testing set. The hybrid of ARIMA and LSTM model was used to construct the model for assessing the morbidity and mortality in the countries and territories of East Asia, and predicting the morbidity and mortality in the next 5 years.

Results

In North Korea, the incidence and mortality of HIV showed a rapid increase during 2000–2010 and a gradual decrease during 2010–2019. The incidence of HIV was predicted to be increased and the mortality was decreased. In South Korea, the incidence was increased during 2000–2010 and decreased during 2010–2019, while the mortality showed fluctuant trend. As predicted, the incidence of HIV in South Korea might be increased and the mortality might be decreased during 2020–2025. In Mongolia, the incidence and mortality were slowly decreased during 2000–2005, increased during 2005–2015, and rapidly decreased till 2019. The predicted incidence and mortality of HIV showed a decreased trend. As for Japan, the incidence of HIV was rapidly increased till 2010 and then decreased till 2015. The predicted incidence of HIV in Japan was gradually increased. The mortality of HIV in Japan was fluctuant during 2000–2019 and was slowly decreased as predicted. The incidence and mortality of HIV in Taiwan during 2000–2019 was increased on the whole. The predicted incidence of HIV during was stationary and the mortality was decreased. In terms of China Mainland, the incidence and mortality of HIV was fluctuant during 2000–2019. The predicted incidence of HIV in China Mainland was stationary while the mortality was rapidly decreased.

Conclusion

On the whole, the incidence of HIV combined with other diseases in post-neonatal population was increased before 2010 and then decreased during 2010–2019 while the mortality of those patients was decreased in East Asia.

Condoms, Trust and Stealthing: The Meanings Attributed to Unprotected Hetero-Sex

University students tend to have greater sexual health knowledge than the general public, yet condom use among this group continues to be a public health concern because effective condom use could reduce sexually transmitted infections and, for heterosexual women, unwanted pregnancies. We report findings from a small, qualitative study of condom use among sexually active heterosexual university students in the UK. In interviews, students shared their views about condom use and sometimes their personal experiences too. This paper identifies some of the meanings attributed to condom use in the accounts of nine heterosexually active 20-25 year-olds. Participants explained that when they felt comfortable communicating with their partners, they were more likely to use condoms, and those with negative sexual experiences or under social or psychological pressure were less likely to use them. The findings highlight issues of trust and power between men and women in heterosexual relationships, and describe contexts for dishonest sexual practice, including the traditional notions of femininity that were linked to condom use by this group. The issue of stealthing arose in one woman's account of her experience and in several others' reports of what occurs commonly. Stealthing, the secretive removal of a condom by a (usually male) partner during sexual intercourse without a partner's knowledge or permission, produces non-consensual unprotected sex. We present stealthing as a product of the sexual double-standards described and as a form of interpersonal violence (IPV) and, among these heterosexual partners, as a form of gender-based violence. This study provides a glimpse into university students' decision-making regarding condom use and highlights how gendered inequalities shape heterosex, in particular, communication about safer sex, that in some cases, compromise women's decisions about (safer) sex.

Knowledge and attitudes about toxoplasmosis among female university students in Egypt

Aim This study aimed to assess toxoplasmosis-related knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices among female undergraduate students in Beni-Suef University, Egypt. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional design with a multi-stage random sample of female Beni-Suef university students were recruited in this survey over a period of 8 weeks' duration using a self-administrated questionnaire. Results Among 1079 female students, only 35 (3.2%) had good knowledge. Female students of the Health Care faculty and students from rural areas had a significantly higher rate of good knowledge. The results also illustrated that most of the studied sample (63%) had a negative attitude. Nearly one-third of participants were convinced that toxoplasmosis shows symptoms and only (25.6%) agreed about the occurrence of toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy. A significant positive correlation was found between the total knowledge score and the total attitude score of female students, indicating that students with better knowledge had more positive attitudes. Of the participants, 67.1% always ate fast food, while 70.7%, 72% and 78.2% of female students reported hand washing after gardening, cleaning areas where cats were and cooking with meat, respectively. Conclusion Knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis was deficient among female students attending Beni-Suef University, and they had a negative attitude regarding toxoplasmosis. There was also a positive correlation between students' knowledge and their attitude toward toxoplasmosis infection. Many students avoided risk behaviors in the correct way, without realizing what they avoided. There is a critical need for efficient educational programs to raise the population's awareness regarding toxoplasmosis.

Bachelor of Nursing students' HIV and AIDS knowledge in KwaZulu-Natal province: An evaluation study

BACKGROUND

 Currently, human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV and AIDS) education and training in nursing suffer from various inadequacies and lack any real formalisation in their governance. As a result, Bachelor of Nursing students find themselves challenged in providing effective HIV and AIDS healthcare management, largely because of the deficit in training identified. An HIV and AIDS education intervention programme was introduced at a selected KwaZulu-Natal university to assist in bridging the perceived knowledge gap. This article communicates programme evaluation findings.

OBJECTIVES

 The aim of this article was to determine levels of HIV knowledge achieved following an HIV education intervention programme.

METHODS

 A pure, descriptive quantitative research design was employed, using total population sampling (N = 133). A modified G3658-11 Collecting Evaluation Data: End-of-Session Questionnaire, developed by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, was administered for data collection.

RESULTS

 Females predominated in the study, and most participants were African with 1 to 3 years of education programme exposure. Perceived HIV knowledge increase was evident: pathophysiology (n = 93, 70.2%); immunology (n = 97, 72.9%); transmission (n = 116, 87.5%); diagnosis (n = 109, 81.8%); prevention strategies (n = 118, 88.4%); staging and monitoring (n = 106, 80%); pre- and post-test counselling (n = 104, 78%).

CONCLUSION

 Pre- and ongoing in-service HIV and AIDS training can improve perceived HIV knowledge levels for both nursing students and professionals. Mandatory HIV and AIDS healthcare management training is therefore recommended in planning for its effective impartation by nursing educators.

Factors Associated with HIV Related Stigma among College Students in the Midwest

In general, U.S. college students have low perceived susceptibility of acquiring HIV infection while 15–25 percent of youth have had negative perceptions towards HIV positive individuals. Factors associated with HIV stigma among college students were examined in a convenience sample of 200 students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to summarize the data. Only four percent of participants responded correctly to HIV transmission knowledge items. HIV transmission knowledge scores were significantly higher for participants who were single with partner and those who resided outside university residential dorms (p < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between composite HIV knowledge scores and stigma scores r = −0.18 (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, a marginal significant negative linear relationship emerged (β = −0.09, p = 0.06) between HIV knowledge and stigma. HIV prevention education among college students needs to be addressed with nuance to minimize HIV knowledge gaps, stigma and student risk perception that impacts HIV prevention and stigma against those living with HIV.

University Students' Sexual Health Knowledge: A Scoping Literature Review

Sexual health plays an important role in the well-being of university students. The literature shows that the majority of university undergraduates are sexually active and at high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs); however, the breadth and degree of the literature on their sexual health knowledge is unclear. The purpose of this scoping review was to gain a deeper understanding of the state of research on the sexual health knowledge of university/college students globally. A 5-stage framework was used to guide the review and to characterize the literature on sexual health knowledge. Articles published in English between 2000 and 2014 were reviewed if they included university students as a population of interest and described the methods used to measure sexual health knowledge. Of the 2,386 articles retrieved, 91 met the criteria. The majority of the articles (n = 79) used a cross-sectional design to investigate students' knowledge about HIV/AIDS (n = 45), STIs (n = 23), HPV (n = 9), and contraception (n = 24). The review highlights gaps in the literature and in findings relating to the research dominance of various geographic locations, common research designs, the wide range of measurement tools used, and the variety of sexual health knowledge outcomes of interest. The review provides a useful description of the literature on sexual health knowledge among university/college students and some recommendations for moving the field forward.

Changing patterns of HIV epidemic in 30 years in East Asia

The HIV epidemic in East Asia started relatively late compared to the rest of the world. All countries or areas, except for North Korea, had reported HIV and AIDS cases, with China being the major contributor to the epidemic. Though initially driven by injecting drug use in China, East Asia did not experience an explosive spread. Strong commitment in China and early harm reduction programs in Taiwan managed to reduce transmission substantially among injecting drug users. In contrast to China and Taiwan, injection drug use has accounted just a little, if not at all, for the spread of HIV in other East Asian counties. However, following a global trend, sexual contact has become a major route of infection across the region. While much progress has been achieved in this region, with the epidemic among other key populations relatively stable, the emerging epidemic through sex between men is a growing concern. Recent estimates suggest that HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) has reached 6.3 % in China, 7.5 % in Mongolia, and ranges between 8.1 %-10.7 % in Taiwan and between 2.7 %- 6.5 % in South Korea. In Japan, 74 % of male HIV cases were among MSM in 2012, while Hong Kong has witnessed a sharp increase of HIV cases among MSM since 2004. There is urgent need to address issues of discrimination and stigma toward homosexuality, and to strengthen the strategies to reach and care for this population.

Evidence-based HIV pilot program for Chinese college students: Differences by gender

This study explored gender differences in the effectiveness of the translated VOICES (Video Opportunities for Condom Education and Safer Sex) intervention on the condom use intention, perceived benefits and barriers to condom use, condom use self-efficacy, and HIV/AIDS knowledge among Chinese students in a US university. We utilized a pretest/post-test quasi-experimental design and recruited 67 Chinese students at the local university. Participants viewed a 20-min video with Chinese subtitles, attended one 25-min small group discussion and condom interactive educational activity. Female participants showed significantly greater mean scores of perceived benefits and condom use self-efficacy, in comparison with male participants. Female participants also reported significantly higher scores than male participants in five of the perceived benefits items and one self-efficacy item. These study results provide important information for developing more differentiated intervention strategies specific to gender for HIV and STI education programs.

A Comparison of HIV Knowledge, Attitudes, and Sources of STI Information Between Female and Male College Students in Taiwan

Taiwan withdrew from the United Nations in 1971, which led to missed opportunities for participating in global HIV/AIDS programs and made Taiwan more vulnerable to HIV. Employing a questionnaire of 996 college students in Taiwan, the authors assessed and compared female and male HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and sources of HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STI) information. Students reported moderate knowledge and attitudes. Females had more positive attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS than males. Most participants reported learning about HIV and STIs from traditional media, school teachers, and the Internet. We suggest evidence-based educational interventions for students should include targeted electronic and cultural awareness strategies.

HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes among Chinese college students in the US

This study assessed knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS and sources of HIV/STI information among Chinese college students living in the USA and explored specific factors associated with knowledge levels and types of sources of information. We surveyed 133 Chinese students enrolled in three US universities. About 41.4 % believed that HIV could be contracted through mosquito bites, and 22.6 % were unaware that condoms could prevent HIV. Sources of HIV/STI information were the mass media. Males were more likely to demonstrate a higher HIV/AIDS knowledge level than females. Graduate students were more likely to cite television as a source of information, and less likely to mention school teachers, than were undergraduate students. These ethnic minority immigrant students held misconceptions about HIV transmission and prevention, and possibly utilized information of varying quality. Accordingly this study identifies specific objectives for education, including basic biology and diversity issues from evidence-based sources.

Knowledge, attitudes and risk behaviour related to HIV and AIDS: the case of international students in a Finnish university

The purpose of this pilot study was to illustrate international university students' knowledge of HIV and AIDS, attitudes towards HIV and AIDS and risk behaviours in relation to HIV and AIDS. Questionnaires were posted to 140 students, and 32 responded. Data were analysed statistically. The results indicated a fairly good knowledge level of HIV and AIDS. The majority of students were well aware of the general facts about HIV and AIDS, modes of transmission and main risk groups, and they were also aware of the universal precautions. The majority of students had positive attitudes towards persons with HIV and AIDS and were willing to care for them. The students identified well with risk behaviours. Most agreed that their knowledge level of HIV and AIDS did affect their risk behaviours, while others felt it was a matter of choice, personal attitude and practice. Choice is a determining factor for decisions made by students in relation to HIV and AIDS. Future research focusing on factors influencing these choices that put them at risk of contracting the HIV virus is recommended. Students also need to be enlightened on matters concerning symptoms of HIV and AIDS.

Stigmatization of persons with HIV/AIDS in Saudi Arabia

Data about the stigmatization of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Saudi Arabia are scarce. Recent statistics from Saudi Ministry of Health showed that 77% of HIV-positive Saudis were males. The present study analyzed data from 162 Saudi male college students. The findings suggest that students who knew less about HIV/AIDS were more likely to stigmatize persons living with HIV/AIDS than those who knew more. Neither degree of religiosity nor worry about HIV infection was related to AIDS stigma. However, AIDS-related shame was the best predictor of AIDS stigma. The findings of this study point to important suggestions for AIDS prevention programs in Saudi Arabia.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge Among Female College Students in Wuhan, China

The purpose of this study was to explore demographic correlates of sexual and reproductive health knowledge among Chinese female college students. A total of 4769 participants were surveyed about sexual and reproductive health knowledge and related sociodemographic factors, using random cluster sampling between 2005 and 2006, in 16 colleges and universities in Wuhan, China. To evaluate knowledge, the scores of 60 questions on reproduction, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections were combined for a possible score of 100. The average score on the knowledge scale was 42.6 ± 13.0 (1.1 to 79.7). Knowledge scores were statistically significant ( P < 0.01) between different sociodemographic factors using χ2 test. Multilinear stepwise regression showed that 11 of 16 factors, including age, grade, major, menarche age, family residence, being the only child, and mother’s occupation were significantly related to knowledge. Female college students lack knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, and their knowledge was influenced by numerous sociodemographic factors.