HIV/AIDS awareness and behaviour pattern among college going youth

Abstract

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is not only a health reason but also a development issue of the world. The epidemic is not only confined to High risk Groups but also spread to general public. About 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and among them 25 percent belong to 15-24 age groups. Most shocking news is that 50 percent of the new infections are taking place in this age group. The college going youth is also more vulnerable to it. The aim of the study was to find out whether our educated youth have responsible behaviour or not. Geographically and culturally representing different groups from five districts were selected for the study. A pre tested bilingual (Tamiland English) questionnaire was administered in the presence of the investigator. About 4000 students from more than 60 colleges from these districts were studied. The important variables studied are male and female, Urban and rural, Tamil and English medium students. Important objectives of the Knowledge Attitude and Practices ( KAP) are to find out the overall awareness level of the educated youth, their practice in protecting themselves from HIV infection, Their leadership qualities to take forward the HIV sensitized messages to others, their willingness for Sex education in the formal educational institutions and lastly, whether they need any personal or career counselling during the adolescent period so that they make better decisions and make use of the appropriate opportunities. The awareness level of HIV among the youth is nearly cent percent, but the practical understanding of the infection and all routes of the disease transmission is not known. Most of them are not aware of STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and condoms. So, the knowledge is not practically implemented so that they can very well sure of cent percent protection. Among the educated youth, who have exposure to sexual contacts, majority of them did not use any protection to save them from HIV. So, they are not having responsible behaviour. An overwhelming majority of them have opted for sex education in the formal educational institutions. But the class in which it has to be started or implemented was varied in response. Comparatively, higher secondary class was selected by most of them for sex education. The youths are ready to take forward the message to the public if they are sensitized about this issue. But most preferred choice was to go with their age groups. Further they are also ready to take the same message to the general public. When asked about the career and personal counselling for the youth, most of them wanted to have a counsellor for them. They also further wanted that the counsellor should be part of the educational system. It is found that the youth need real reinforcement on HIV and other related issues. It is suggested that the government may introduce sex education at High school level. The reason for advocating at the lower level is because of the on set of menarche has come down to 11-12 years and these kids cannot wait for another five years to know what is happening in them.