Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding HIV among first time attenders of voluntary counseling and testing services in Italy

BMC Infectious Diseases

The Collaborative Working Group¹  Italo F Angelillo¹  Natascia Corbisiero¹  Silvana Mollo¹  Alessandra Sessa¹  Gabriella Di Giuseppe¹ 

[1]Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Via Luciano Armanni, 5, 80138, Naples, Italy

关键词: Voluntary counseling and testing;    Knowledge;    Human Immunodeficiency Virus;    Behavior;    Attitudes;   

Others  :  1147728
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2334-13-277

 received in 2012-12-21, accepted in 2013-06-17,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

This study assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing and counseling services and the predictor characteristics of these outcomes among individuals who presented for the first time to Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) public services.

Methods

A sample of 244 subjects in the geographic area of Naples (Italy) received a self-administered anonymous questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes relating to HIV infection, and practices relating to access to VCT service.

Results

Only 25% correctly identified the main modes of transmission and the main preventative measures of HIV and this knowledge was significantly higher in who had had more than one sexual partner and have not always used a condom during the intercourse in the last year, in those who have received information about HIV/AIDS through physician, and in those who have received middle school or lower educational level. The perceived risk of contracting HIV/AIDS was significantly higher in respondents of lower age, in those who perceived a better personal health status, and in those unmarried. Only 20.9% reported that they had received the HIV test and males and those who visited a physician or participated in preventive activities about HIV/AIDS were significantly more likely to have had an HIV test.

Conclusions

This study supports the need to disseminate information and interventions to this population.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Di Giuseppe et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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