Knowledge, attitude, and perception of HIV / AIDS among married women

Background: In India, the rising prevalence of HIV among pregnant women is of great concern. Pregnant women are much receptive on health matters. So, it is important to assess their knowledge, attitude and perception regarding HIV/AIDS. Aims: To know the knowledge and to know the various factors influencing the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS in married women. Setting and design: The present community based cross sectional study was carried out in rural health training centre Ukkali, which belongs to department of community medicine, BLDE University’s Shri B.M. Patil medical college, Bijapur. Materials and methods: A total of 1182 married women, aged between 15 – 45years were interviewed. Pretested, pre designed questionnaire were administered to them. Statistical analysis: Data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed using percentages. Results and Conclusion: Among the study population majority (77.5%) heard about HIV/AIDS and (45.6%) gained knowledge about HIV/AIDS through health worker, (29.3%) through media and (14.9%) through doctors. Among the participants, 20.4% told that HIV/AIDS spreads through unprotected sex, 17.0% through blood products and 6.3% through mother to child. Most (57.3%) of the study participants did not know about mother to child transmission. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS is crucial for married women because of increasing prevalence of this infection. There is a need for more information directly and indirectly through consistent awareness program among married women residing in rural areas