Chilean University Students: Knowledge and Concern About HIV/AIDS

Abstract

According to a 2004 report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Chile has an incipient HIV/AIDS epidemic. Regardless of the classification, every year the cumulative incidence of HIV/AIDS increases. Young Chileans have been the most affected group; still, their knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about HIV/AIDS are not known. This study describes Chilean university students' HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, their worry about getting the virus, and the correlation between both variables. A convenience sample of 45 university students responded to an anonymous self-administered questionnaire after orally consenting to participate in this study. Overall, students had good levels of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, with 77% responding correctly to at least 85% of the questions. Despite this knowledge, almost 56% of students stated that they were not worried about getting HIV/AIDS. The situation was corroborated by a nonsignificant statistical correlation between both variables (p > .05). These results are congruent with literature from other countries and strengthen the need for further research to clarify why university students, the majority of whom are well-educated and engage in behaviors that place them at risk for contracting the virus, do not worry about HIV.

Mano a Mano for Health Professions Students in Chile: A Pilot HIV Prevention Program

“…Findings from our pilot study were consistent with previously reported observational studies, in which the knowledge of HIV in students and health professionals from Chile and other countries has been weak in several domains (Chimango et al, 2009; Ferrer et al, 2007; Kaponda et al, 2009; Norr et al, 2006). In addition, interventions for health professions university students have also shown significant improvement in knowledge and positive attitudes after education (Pickles et al, 2009; Valois et al, 2001; Yiu et al, 2010).…”

“…The lack of awareness and concern about HIV prevalence in Chile was confirmed in a study by Ferrer and colleagues (2007), in which 45 university students filled out questionnaires related to HIV knowledge, attitude, and personal concern. Results revealed that these students had quite high levels of HIV-related knowledge, as 77% of participants earned scores of 81% or higher on the HIV knowledge portion of the questionnaire.…”

Perceived Risk Modifies the Effect of HIV Knowledge on Sexual Risk Behaviors

“…These findings were also consistent with a study by Salgado de Snyder et al (20) demonstrating that while women had information regarding means of HIV/AIDS transmission and ways of prevention, they did not use their knowledge to evaluate, moderate, and substantially change their risk behavior. Although there are other studies in line with the above two studies (21, 22), there are also a few studies showing an association between knowledge and risk behaviors (2, 23). …”

Predictors of Self-Efficacy for HIV Prevention Among Hispanic Women in South Florida

“…Women living with a partner may view themselves as being in a secure, monogamous, and stable relationship. Consequently, they may not perceive a need to practice safe sex (Ferrer et al, 2007). Also, women living with partners may be afraid to suggest condom use because this could offend the partner and cause relationship problems.…”