- Visibility 279 Views
- Downloads 313 Downloads
- Permissions
- DOI 10.18231/j.ijmmtd.v.11.i.3.4
-
CrossMark
Youth health literacy: Assessing the impact of an interventional campaign on HIV/AIDS and STI awareness in urban schools of Waghodia, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Author Details:
-
Himani Bhardwaj Pandya *
-
Nidhi Mihirkumar Bhalodia
-
Rachana Bhavin Patel
-
Binda Prakashbhai Pipaliya
-
Saurabh Chhotalal Norris
Himani Bhardwaj Pandya *
Rachana Bhavin Patel
Binda Prakashbhai Pipaliya
Saurabh Chhotalal Norris
Background: Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and stigma regarding reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study evaluates the impact of a structured interventional campaign on the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of school-going adolescents in Waghodia, Vadodara, Gujarat.
Materials and Methods: An educational intervention study was conducted over three months, from July 1 to September 30, 2022, involving 210 students from grades 8 to 12 across three English-medium schools in Vadodara, Gujarat. A validated, structured questionnaire assessed baseline knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS through a pre-test, which was followed by interactive awareness sessions, including PowerPoint presentations and role-plays. Post-intervention changes were measured using the same questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using the chi-square test and p-value to assess significance and strength of associations.
Results: Following the intervention, there was a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.0001) across all domains. Knowledge about activities that can transmit HIV saw a sharp rise from 15.2% to 65.7% (p < 0.0001), and understanding of non-transmissible routes (e.g., HIV is not transmitted through casual contact) improved from 40.5% to 88.6% (p < 0.0001). The ability to distinguish between HIV and AIDS rose from 36.7% to 85.2% (p = 0.00002). Misconceptions about HIV transmission through hugging, kissing, or handshakes decreased drastically, with correct responses rising from 42.4% to 97.6% (p < 0.0001). The intervention also resulted in significant positive shifts in students’ attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS. The percentage of students who opposed the idea that people with HIV should be kept out of school rose from 74.3% to 96.2%. Misconceptions related to stigma, such as ending friendships due to HIV status, have reduced drastically.
Conclusion: The educational intervention was highly effective in enhancing knowledge, correcting misconceptions, and fostering more inclusive and empathetic attitudes among adolescents. This emphasizes the urgent need for integrating age-appropriate, interactive sexual health education into school curricula.
References
- Garcia MR, Leslie SW, Wray AA. Sexually Transmitted Infections. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
- Iqbal M. The level of knowledge and awareness about sex and reproductive health among adolescents in Kashmir. J Psychosex Health. 2021;3(1):51–6.
- World Health Organization. Implementing the global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections, 2022–2030: report on progress and gaps. Geneva: WHO;
- Khatri D, Shenwai M, Mardikar P. Understanding attitude towards gender, sexuality, sexual health needs and information seeking behaviour amongst first-year medicine students: an observational study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2022;16(3):CC01–5.
- Deshmukh DD, Chaniana SS. Knowledge about sexual and reproductive health in adolescent school-going children of 8th, 9th, and 10th standards. J Psychosex Health. 2020;2(1):56–62.
- Gupta AK, Mahajan S, Bala S. Control of sexually transmitted infections, reproductive tract infections, and HIV/AIDS in India: current status and the way forward. Epidem Int. 2017;2(3):19–29.
- Bozzini AB, Bauer A, Maruyama J, Simões R, Matijasevich A. Factors associated with risk behaviors in adolescence: A systematic review. Braz J Psychiatry. 2021;43(2):210–21.
- Nath A, Choudhari SG, Dakhode SU, Rannaware A, Gaidhane AM, Dakhode S, et al. Substance abuse amongst adolescents: an issue of public health significance. Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31193.
- Gao X, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Zhang N, Tang J, Qiu J, et al. Effectiveness of school-based education on HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude, and behavior among secondary school students in Wuhan, China, 2012. PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e44881.
- Agu IC, Mbachu CO, Okeke C, Eze I, Agu C, Ezenwaka U, et al. Misconceptions about transmission, symptoms and prevention of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Ebonyi State, south-east Nigeria. BMC Res Notes. 2020;13:244.
- Bermúdez MP, Teva I, Ramiro MT, Uribe-Rodríguez AF, Sierra JC, Buela-Casal G. Psychological and socio-demographic variables associated with sexual risk behavior for sexually transmitted infections/HIV. Int J Clin Health Psychol. 2012;12(2):235–49.
- Yimer A, Kebede Kassaw AA, Surur S, Mussa E. Prevalence of misconception about HIV/AIDS transmission and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: a nationwide study. BMC Infect Dis. 2024;24(1):54.
- Chadyiwanembwa N, Habedi DS. High school teenage girls’ knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Afr J Gender Soc Dev. 2023;12(3):171–94.
- Takada S, Nyakato V, Nishi A, O’Malley AJ, Kakuhikire B, Perkins JM, et al. The social network context of HIV stigma: population- based, sociocentric network study in rural Uganda. Soc Sci Med. 2019;233:229–36.
- Mathew RS, Boonsuk P, Dandu M, Sohn AH. Experiences with stigma and discrimination among adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Bangkok, Thailand. AIDS Care. 2020;32(4):530–