HIV/AIDS awareness, attitudes and risk behavior among university students in Wuhan, China

Knowledge and Perceptions of Chinese Female College Students Towards HIV/AIDS: A Qualitative Analysis

Objective

This study aims to explore knowledge and perceptions of Chinese female college students towards HIV/AIDS.

Design Method Participants and Setting

A purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants. Twenty female participants studying at a college located in Chongqing, Southwest China, were involved in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The face-to-face interview data were recorded and analyzed using the method of qualitative inductive content analysis.

Results

Five themes were identified from the data of transcribed interviews: HIV transmission routes (sexual transmission; blood transmission; mother-to-child transmission), sources of HIV/AIDS knowledge (education; mass media), AIDS prevention measures (avoiding sexual activity; establishing sense of self-protection; avoiding blood contact), attitudes towards PLWHA (treating all PLWHA equally; showing sympathy for the innocent PLWHA; discriminating against the immoral PLWHA), and suggested solutions to combat AIDS (assistance provided by governments; what health professionals can contribute; mobilization of social power; university intervention).

Conclusion

More efforts should be made to strengthen the HIV/AIDS education for female college students of non-medical majors in Southwest China. Accurate knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the right attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) should be the foci of HIV/AIDS education for this population. In order to better cater future sex education in colleges to the requirements of female college students, educators and lawmakers may benefit from gaining a deeper grasp of their perspectives on HIV/AIDS.

A systematic review of international students' sexual health knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes

The demand for higher education has increased student mobility across the world. Studying abroad provides an opportunity for young adults to engage in sexual behaviours, some of which may be risky. Yet, little is known about international students' current sexual health knowledge or practices. The aim of this review was to identify their sexual health knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes. A search of five databases yielded 21 studies that met inclusion criteria. These studies used quantitative (n=13), qualitative (n=7) and mixed methods (n=1) and included a total of 4666 international and exchange students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Findings were grouped into three themes: sexual health knowledge, sexual behaviours, and sexual health attitudes. Asian international students had poorer levels of knowledge, suggesting a need for culturally appropriate sex education. They were less sexually experienced and were older than domestic students at first age of sex. Fewer engaged in risky sexual behaviours when compared to domestic students. They also reported fewer sexual partners and higher condom usage. However, culture influenced the sexual behaviours and attitudes of international students; in particular, Asian female international students, who tested risk-taking behaviours, such as casual sex, in more liberal Western countries. Appropriate intervention and further education are needed to decrease international students' sexual health risks.

Psychosocial Syndemic of suicidal ideation: a cross-sectional study among sexually transmitted infection patients in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND

Patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) experience difficulties with stability and trust in long-term relationships and have poor mental health, factors that may lead to suicidal ideation. We sought to verify whether psychosocial health problems among patients with STIs were associated with these patients' suicidal ideation and to examine the syndemic effect of multiple psychosocial problems on suicidal ideation.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 519 STI patients at the Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital. Demographic, psychosocial, and suicidal ideation information about the participants was collected by questionnaire. Logistic regressions were performed to detect the association between demographic variables and suicidal ideation, as well as each individual psychosocial variable and suicidal ideation, and to verify the syndemic effect of psychosocial factors.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 25.0% (130/519) reported having suicidal ideation. In univariable analysis, low self-esteem, loneliness, depression, entrapment, defeat, and unsatisfied interpersonal needs were associated with suicidal ideation. Multivariable analysis found depression (odds ratio [OR]: 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3-7.2) and entrapment (OR: 2.1; 95%CI: 1.1-4.1) each had a more significant relation with suicidal ideation than the other psychosocial problems examined. STI patients who experienced two or more psychosocial health problems had approximately fourfold odds of suicide ideation (adjusted OR [AOR]: 4.2; 95%CI: 2.6-6.8) compared with those in the non-syndemic group, especially in the high-level (five or more psychosocial problems) group (AOR: 7.0; 95%CI: 3.9-12.5).

CONCLUSIONS

The study found the participants had a high rate of suicidal ideation and suffered from severe psychosocial problems. These results show a syndemic effect of psychosocial problems on increasing the odds of suicidal ideation. Our findings suggest an urgent need for efforts to prevent suicidal ideation among STI patients toward improving the social and health conditions of this population.

An Analytical Comparison of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding HIV/AIDS Among Medical and Non-Medical Students in Iran

Background and Objectives

Young people are the main group at risk of HIV/AIDS due to factors such as curiosity, peer pressure, lack of knowledge and skills, unsafe sexual behaviors, and drug abuse. The present study was conducted to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among medical and non-medical students in Iran.

Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on a population consisting of the students of Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU). A total of 303 students were randomly selected from the two universities. Data were collected using a researcher-made HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire. Data were then analyzed using the independent t-test, Mann–Whitney’s U-test, the ANOVA, and the Kruskal–Wallis test in SPSS-18. P<0.05 was set as the level of significance for all the tests.

Findings

The frequencies of marital status, education, smoking, alcohol and psychotropic substance use, employment status, and source of information differed significantly between the medical and non-medical students. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding knowledge (P<0.001) and practice (P=0.019) regarding HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of their attitude toward HIV/AIDS (P=0.503). The results of the ANOVA revealed a significant correlation between marital status and practice (P=0.022), education and attitude (P=0.004), and smoking and knowledge (P=0.008) among the medical students. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between the demographic variables and knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among the non-medical students (P>0.005).

Conclusion

The present findings showed that designing and developing appropriate educational programs, offered through group media, scientific seminars, courses, lectures, and group discussions, can be effective in enhancing the students’ knowledge and changing their attitudes and should be incorporated into healthcare programs.

A structural equation model of perceived and internalized stigma, depression, and suicidal status among people living with HIV/AIDS

Background

Previous studies have shown positive association between HIV-related stigma and depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempt among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). But few studies have examined the mechanisms among HIV-related stigma, depression, and suicidal status (suicidal ideation and/or suicidal attempt) in PLWH. The current study examined the relationships among perceived and internalized stigma (PIS), depression, and suicidal status among PLWH in Guangzhou, China using structural equation modeling.

Methods

Cross-sectional study by convenience sampling was conducted and 411 PLWH were recruited from the Number Eight People’s Hospital from March to June, 2013 in Guangzhou, China. Participants were interviewed on their PIS, depressive symptoms, suicidal status, and socio-demographic characteristics. PLWH who had had suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts since HIV diagnosis were considered to be suicidal. Structural equation model was performed to examine the direct and indirect associations of PIS and suicidal status. Indicators to evaluate goodness of fit of the structural equation model included Chi-square Statistic, Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR), and Weighted Root Mean Square Residual (WRMR).

Results

More than one-third (38.4%) of the PLWH had depressive symptoms and 32.4% reported suicidal ideation and/or attempt since HIV diagnosis. The global model showed good model fit (Chi-square value = 34.42, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.03, WRMR = 0.73). Structural equation model revealed that direct pathway of PIS on suicidal status was significant (standardized pathway coefficient = 0.21), and indirect pathway of PIS on suicidal status via depression was also significant (standardized pathway coefficient = 0.24). There was a partial mediating effect of depression in the association between PIS and suicidal status.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that PIS is associated with increased depression and the likelihood of suicidal status. Depression is in turn positively associated with suicidal status and plays a mediating role between PIS and suicidal status. Therefore, to reduce suicidal ideation and attempt in PLWH, targeted interventions to reduce PIS and improve mental health status of PLWH are warranted.

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.

HIV knowledge and behavior among Chinese college students in China and the United States

Disease prevention can be improved with a better understanding of student-environment interactions. The purposes of the study were (a) to compare HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, sexual behaviors, and sources of HIV/STI information and (b) to investigate the association between sources of HIV/STI information and HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and sexual behaviors among Chinese college students in China and the United States. Comparative, correlational analysis of survey data from 608 students in two countries was conducted. Chinese students in the United States scored higher on knowledge questions. More students in the United States received HIV/STI information from the Internet and family members than did students in China. Traditional media and schoolteachers had a stronger association with participants' HIV-related knowledge, age at first intercourse, and number of sexual partners in both samples than did other sources. The survey revealed incomplete knowledge within both groups. Prevention programs should focus on risky misconceptions and should teach about strategic utilization of media.

Effectiveness of school-based education on HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude, and behavior among secondary school students in Wuhan, China

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are among the most complex health problems in the world. Young people are at high risk of HIV and AIDS infections and are, therefore, in need of targeted prevention. School-based HIV/AIDS health education may be an effective way to prevent the spread of AIDS among adolescents.

Methods

The study was a school-based intervention conducted in three middle schools and two high schools in Wuhan, China, which included 702 boys and 766 girls, with ages from 11 to 18 years old. The intervention was a one-class education program about HIV/AIDS for participants. HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude, and high-risk behaviors were investigated using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire before and after the education intervention. Chi-square test was used to compare differences before and after the intervention. Non-conditional logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors that affect HIV/AIDS knowledge.

Results

Misconceptions about basic medical knowledge and non-transmission modes of HIV/AIDS among all the students prevail. Approximately 10% to 40% of students had negative attitudes about HIV/AIDS before the intervention. After the intervention, all of the students had significant improvements in knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS (P<.05), indicating that educational intervention increased the students’ knowledge significantly and changed their attitudes positively. Logistic regression analyses indicated that before the intervention the students’ level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS was significantly associated with grade, economic status of the family, and attitudes toward participation in HIV/AIDS health information campaigns.

Conclusions

HIV/AIDS education programs were welcomed by secondary students and positively influenced HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes. A systematic and long-term intervention among secondary school students must be conducted for the prevention of HIV.

Patterns of sexual risk behavior among undergraduate university students in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

As part of the young age bracket, undergraduate university students are exposed to a range of risky behaviors including HIV/AIDS. Given the paucity of data among the risk behaviors of African university students, this study was conducted to examine the sexual risk behaviors of this group in Ethiopia.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and sexual risk behavior characteristics among 1,286 undergraduate students at Haramaya University, Ethiopia from March to April, 2010. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to derive adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

About 355 (28%; 95% CI 25.5-30.5) students reported to have had sexual intercourse at least once. More proportion of male students ever had sex compared to females (OR 4.8; 95% CI 3.4-6.8, p<0.001). One fifth (22.8%) of these students had their sexual debut after they joined university. About six percent of students with sexual experience reported having had intercourse with same-sex partners. Half of the males with sexual experience had intercourse with a commercial sex worker. About 60% of students reported to have used a condom rarely.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that there is a high level of sexual risk behavior among the study population. Significant proportion of students were sexually active, the majority started sexual intercourse before they joined university. We recommend awareness campaigns and interventions on sexual and reproductive health issues for high school and university students in Ethiopia.

Sexual behaviors, decisional balance, and self-efficacy among a sample of Chinese college students in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To assess sexual behaviors and condom use including perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy among Chinese college students in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred thirty-three Chinese undergraduate and graduate students studying at 3 US universities.

METHODS

Self-report Internet questionnaire grounded in the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) framework analyzed with multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

More than half (57.9%) have initiated sex. Only 27.3% used condoms every time. Frequent reasons for not using condoms were trust in partner, reduced pleasure, and partner dislike for condoms. Participants in the earlier TTM stages (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation) reported more worry about making partners angry if condoms were used and lower self-efficacy in situations involving alcohol or drug use and perceived low-risk scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions should increase condom availability to students and should also make condom use more acceptable, more often expected, and easier to discuss.

AIDS knowledge and HIV stigma among children affected by HIV/AIDS in rural China

The current study was designed to assess the level of AIDS knowledge and its relationship with personal stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) among children living in communities of high HIV prevalence in rural China. The data were collected in 2009 from 118 orphanage orphans (children who had lost both of their parents to HIV and living in AIDS orphanages), 299 family-cared orphans (children who had lost one or both of their parents to HIV and living with surviving parents or extended families), 326 vulnerable children (children who were living with HIV-infected alive parents), and 276 comparison children (children from the same community who did not experience HIV-related illness and death in their family). Children were asked to answer 20 questions of AIDS knowledge. A 10-item stigma scale was employed to assess children's own attitude toward PLWHA. Both bivariate and multivariate tests were performed to answer our research questions. The data in the current study demonstrate a relatively low percent of correct AIDS knowledge (60%) among samples. The comparison children reported the best score of AIDS knowledge and orphanage orphans scored the lowest. The children with better AIDS knowledge have less personal stigma toward PLWHA. The findings in the current study suggest the need of appropriate education strategies to provide AIDS knowledge to children, particularly for HIV-affected children living in communities of high HIV prevalence in rural China.

Status and risk factors of unintentional injuries among Chinese undergraduates: a cross-sectional study

Background

Injuries affect all age groups but have a particular impact on young people. To evaluate the incidence of non-fatal, unintentional, injuries among undergraduates in Wenzhou, China, assess the burden caused by these injuries, and explore the associated risk factors for unintentional injuries among these undergraduates, we conducted a college-based cross-sectional study.

Methods

Participants were selected by a multi-stage random sampling method, and 2,287 students were asked whether they had had an injury in the last 12 months; the location, cause, and consequences of the event. The questionnaire included demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and the scale of type A behaviour pattern (TABP). Multivariate logistic regression models were used; crude odds ratios (ORs), adjusted ORs and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated, with students having no injuries as the reference group.

Results

The incidence of injuries among undergraduates in Wenzhou was 18.71 injuries per 100 person-years (95%CI: 17.12~20.31 injuries per 100 person-years). Falls were the leading cause of injury, followed by traffic injuries, and animal/insect bites. Male students were more likely to be injured than female students. Risk factors associated with unintentional injuries among undergraduates were: students majoring in non-medicine (adjusted OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.19-1.96); type A behaviour pattern (adjusted OR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.45-6.14); liking sports (adjusted OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.41-2.45).

Conclusions

Injuries have become a public health problem among undergraduates. Falls were the major cause of non-fatal injury. Therefore, individuals, families, schools and governments should promptly adopt preventive measures aimed at preventing and controlling morbidity due to non-fatal injury, especially among students identified to be at high-risk; such as male students with type A behaviour pattern who like sports.

A quarter of a century with AIDS

In Northwestern Spain (NWS), the annual incidence of AIDS diagnoses increased from 1984 (when the first case was diagnosed) until 1996. However, since 1996, this incidence has reduced considerably, including a notable 40% reduction between 1997 and 1998. The Galician Register of AIDS supplies information on the evolution of AIDS pathology in NWS. This report compiles data on patients who were diagnosed with AIDS in NWS between 1984 and 2008. From 1981, when the first case of AIDS was described, until December 31, 2008, a total of 3,766 AIDS cases were registered in NWS. Of these, 2,085 cases (55.4%) resulted in death. Examining data from individual provinces revealed that the highest number of cases was in A Coruña (1,548 cases) followed by Pontevedra (1,485 cases).For almost half of the new cases of AIDS diagnosed between 2003 and 2008 (44%), less than six months passed between the diagnosis of infection and manifestations of the disease. Thus, the number of patients that do not receive early diagnosis of HIV infection has remained high.With regard to the transmission mechanism, 64% of the cases occurring during these years resulted from needle-sharing among injected drug users (IDUs). Unprotected heterosexual and homosexual practices were responsible for 20% and 17% of the cases, respectively.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of students from a medicine faculty, dentistry faculty, and medical technology Vocational Training School toward HIV/AIDS

OBJECTIVES

With increasing numbers of HIV/AIDS patients, physicians, dentists, and nurses taking care of these patients should have sufficient knowledge of the disease, and their attitude and behaviour should be proper. In our study, we aimed to examine the level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among students from a medicine faculty, dentistry faculty, and medical technology vocational training school, to investigate attitudes and behaviour, and differences between first- and last-year students (if any) and to determine students' perception of the importance of this disease for our country and our world.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This descriptive study comprised first-year and last-year students of Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University Medical Technology Vocational Training School (MTVTS), and Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Dentistry. A questionnaire was administered to a total of 357 students.

RESULTS

Lack of the relevant education is obvious among all three occupational groups in our study.

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of HIV/AIDS as a public health problem all over the world should be emphasized more, and awareness of all humanity should be augmented.