Abstract: Background: Knowledge of how the HIV
virus is transmitted and how we can protect
ourselves against it will lead individuals to adopt
appropriate sexual behavior, thus preventing
transmission of HIV. An evaluation of this
knowledge in a young population of reproductive
age is fundamental when drawing up and assessing
health education programs.
Goal: Assessing the knowledge of students at the
health care departments of the Athens ΗΤΕΙ on AIDS
transmission and prevention.
Material and Method: 249 students of health care
professions at the Athens ΗΤΕΙ participated in the
study, their average age being 21.1±2.45 years. An
anonymous, structured questionnaire comprising 61
questions was used, which subjects filled out
themselves.
Results: 96.1% of the population stated that they
had been informed about AIDS and the
overwhelming majority (94.2%) was aware of the
hematogenous transmission of AIDS, while a large
percentage answered that there is no cure, though
this reply was influenced by how many years the
respondents had studied. 90% of sexually active
students thought that those afflicted should say so
openly, and they were also better informed about
the lack of a cure for the disease.
Conclusions: The population studied seemed to be
aware of quite a few details concerning AIDS. The
quantity and accuracy of this knowledge was
influenced by various parameters, i.e. how many
years respondents had studied and whether they
were sexually active. In general, the sample
population seemed open to information, as
respondents’ attitudes changed progressively in the
course of their studies as a result of the knowledge
imparted to them.
We believe that by drawing up and implementing
appropriate Health Education Programs we can
contribute to the adoption of more conscious
attitudes and safer behavior.