Investigation Knowledge On AIDS In Rural Population Of Zhejiang Province

HIV/AIDS has spread rapidly worldwide, infected and killed more than 60 and 25 million people respectively (till 2008), since the world's first case of HIV infector was recognized in 1981. It has become a major global concern of public health and social hot-spot issues. In china, HIV infection is in a period of rapid growth.80% of overall 32 million HIV-infected people of China live in rural areas (which accounts for 62% of the total population in China). Therefore, it is crucial to understand awareness of HIV/AIDS in rural residents, and then to take proper control measures.1 ObjectiveBased on the survey of awareness of HIV/AIDS in rural population, we discussed effective procedures for propaganda and education to farmers; and provided theoretical basis for relevant departments to carry out controls of HIV/AIDS health instruction on HIV/AIDS.2 Method2.1 survey objectPopulation was all current rural residents aged 15 and above. Current residents were all living members of the households including inhabitants who lived without Hukou but living in the household for more than half a year, but excluding people with Hukou away from home for more than half a year.2.2 sample methodWe conducted a questionnaire-type survey of households drawn samples from population using stratified cluster random sampling method. Two cities (Shaoxing, Jiaxing City) randomly selected from Zhejiang province were divided into three groups (namely, the upper, middle and lower layer) according to geographic location. Three random select steps were taken afterwards:(1) chose a county from each layer; (2) chose a town from each selected county; (3) chose three administrative villages from each selected town. Finally, all eligible households in each village were taken as sample households.This survey was carried out in July 2008, covering 2517 households and 5296 people totally.2.3 analytic procedureWe employed rank-sum test using SPSS 11.5 statistical software. Significance level of the test was 0.05. We conducted the normality test and rank sum test to correct values score about HIV/AIDS awareness acquired from residents of different ages, different sexes, different education, different occupations, different marital status etc.3 Results3.1 Basic knowledge of rural residents on HIV/AIDS SituationOnly 27.7% of the inhabitants conceived that it was not very far away from HIV/AIDS, and the possibility to infected is existed. The accuracy rate was over 70% about other basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS.3.2 Awareness of rural residents on HIV transmission routesRegarding the main HIV transmission routes(sexual, blood, Mother-to-child), the residents'correct answer rate was over 60%, but the correct rate of the non-transmission routes(bath, coughing, sneezing, shaking, hugging, meal) was 60% or less. The correct rate was only 24.6% about "Mosquitoes cannot transmit HIV".3.3 Awareness of HIV/AIDS among rural residents in different situationThe correct rate of HIV/AIDS awareness in rural residents was low (about 69.6%). There were significant differences on the awareness of HIV/AIDS in different age, marital status, education level, occupation, etc.3.4 means of rural residents to acquire knowledge of HIV/AIDSRural residents obtain the knowledge of HIV/AIDS related mainly via television and radio.3.5 residents'attitude to HIV-infectorsRural residents showed obvious discrimination and fear to HIV-infector.4 ConclusionsSince the level of HIV/AIDS awareness of rural residents in some parts of Zhejiang province was low, further propaganda and education on HIV/AIDS for rural residents were recommended, which would be useful to control HIV/AIDS more effectively.