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Khan NH, Beg MM, Sarwar MZ, Kyzy GZ, Zhetkinbekova T, Mamatov A, Kyzy AZ, Osmonaliev K, Nurlanbek MU, Faisal SS, Ahmad H, Khanam S, Rehman SU. Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes Related to HIV/AIDS Among the Population With Increasing Incidence Rate. Cureus 2024; 16:e53451. [PMID: 38435229 PMCID: PMC10909385 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Lack of awareness and negative attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are key barriers to minimizing the transmission of HIV. Therefore, the present survey-based study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and attitudes toward PLWHA. Methods In the present study, we collected data from 612 Kyrgyz national participants using a self-administered questionnaire. Results Among the participants, 59% (361) were females, and 41% (251) were males. The mean age of the participants was 26.23 (SD = 7.7) years. All participants were aware of HIV/AIDS, and 59.1% (362) agreed to have sufficient information about HIV/AIDS. Overall, the participants displayed a high level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission, and 89.2% (546) of them were aware of sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS. Among the participants, 54% (330) believed that using condoms during sexual intercourse could prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Concerning social attitudes, 17% (104) of the participants agreed that HIV-infected individuals should be isolated from society. Moreover, 39% (238) of them disagreed to work with PLWHA. The results of the study suggest that female participants were more aware of the modes of HIV/AIDS transmission than males. However, misconceptions regarding transmission routes were present in both genders. Conclusion The present study revealed that study participants had correct knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission modes such as unsafe blood transfusion and injectable drug abuse. However, knowledge about unsafe tattooing and mother-to-baby mode of HIV/AIDS transmission was observed to be lower. Female participants were found to be more aware of HIV/AIDS transmission. There is a need to address the knowledge and awareness gap in the general population of Kyrgyzstan, especially among the male population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawaid H Khan
- Faculty of Medicine, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek, KGZ
| | | | | | - Gulzat Z Kyzy
- Faculty of Medicine, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek, KGZ
| | | | - Akyltai Mamatov
- Faculty of Medicine, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek, KGZ
| | - Aizirek Z Kyzy
- Faculty of Medicine, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek, KGZ
| | | | | | - Syed S Faisal
- Faculty of Medicine, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek, KGZ
| | - Hafiz Ahmad
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, RAK (Ras Al Khaimah) Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, ARE
| | - Saleha Khanam
- Faculty of Medicine, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek, KGZ
| | - Shafee U Rehman
- Faculty of Medicine, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek, KGZ
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