Knowledge about AIDS among Iranian red crescent volunteers and effect of an AIDS educational program

• Published in: Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ʻUlūm-i Pizishkī-i Gurgān Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 56 - 60
• Main Authors: Rogheieh Golsha, Gholamreza Roshandel, Rahim Rezaie Shirazi, Danyal Roshandel, Nafiseh Abdolahi, Ali Jabbari, Sima Besharat, Shahryar Semnani
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Persian
• Published: Golestan University of Medical Sciences 01-01-2008
• Subjects: AIDS; Education; Knowledge
• EISSN: 2008-4080
• ISSN: 1562-4765

Background & Objective: The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is in its third decade and has become a pandemic disease that threatens the world population. Educational programs are well known as the most effective strategy to preventing the AIDS. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of participants about AIDS and to test the effects of an AIDS education program on it. Materials & Methods: This case-control study was conducted during 2005. 149 Red Crescent personnel in Golestan, Iran. The sample subjects participated in a pre/post intervention study. The activity consisted of a workshop 90 minutes in length, in conjunction with educational material. A 13-item questionnaire was used as the gauging tool. Results: 47% of subjects had adequate knowledge about AIDS. Mean level of knowledge in post-test exam was significantly higher than pre-test one (P<0.0001). Individuals with higher educational level (high school and university) had lower knowledge in pre-test (P=0.001), but the difference in pos-test was not significant. A significant relationship was shown between the history of participation in previous AIDS education programs and subject's knowledge in pre-test (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study indicated that education program based on special traing considerably increase general awareness and attitde towards AIDS.