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Knowledge and Practice of High School Students Regarding Hiv/Aids Prevention and Transmission: Results From a Cross-Sectional Study in an Iranian Less-Developed, High-Risk Region Publisher



Mohamadian A1, 2 ; Sharifi H3 ; Hassanzadeh J4 ; Mohebbinodezh M5 ; Mohebbinodezh M5 ; Vardanjani HM1, 3
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. MPH Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. HIV, STI Surveillance Research Center, WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
  4. 4. Epidemiology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  5. 5. Epidemiology Department, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Hormozgan, Iran

Source: Journal of Education and Health Promotion Published:2023


Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some residents of the Persian Gulf Coastline (PGC) areas are circular migrants due to geo-commercial issues. They have a higher risk of HIV infection and non-disclosure of their HIV/AIDS status. These people who live with HIV (PLHIV) are considered as the bridge population for HIV transmission to general population, especially adolescents. This study sought to investigate the knowledge and behavior of adolescents regarding HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission in a less-developed, high-risk area located along the PGC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, using multistage cluster random sampling, 1450 students were invited to complete a standardized questionnaire previously used in a 2013 Iranian national high-risk behaviors survey. The prevalence of adequate knowledge, condom use, and stigmatization of HIV/AIDS and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS: Totally, 17.09% (CI: 15.0-19.3) of the students had adequate knowledge. Social networks and the internet were the most important sources of information (20.9%, CI: 18.6-23.3). Socioeconomic status (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.7-2.3), gender (0.6, CI: 0.5-0.8), residential area (0.08, CI: 0.05-0.1), and using social networks and the internet as the main sources of information (1.5, CI: 1.1-1.9) were correlated to the level of knowledge. Furthermore, 29.8% (CI: 27.2-32.5) of the students respected the social rights of PLHIV, and 12.6% (CI: 10.7-14.6) reported condom use. CONCLUSION: HIV/AIDS-related education is needed in the PGC. Such education should be focused on males, students from marginalized areas, and people with lower socioeconomic status. Social networks and the internet may be the most effective way to improve people's knowledge about HIV/AIDS. © 2023 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.
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