Knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and views on HIV testing before marrying migrant workers among rural higher secondary school students in Bangladesh

Abstract

The social context of Bangladesh does not permit adolescents to discuss reproductive health topics as well as sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS openly with their parents, teachers, or other senior members of the community. The objective of this crosssectional study was to investigate knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and views on HIV testing before marrying migrant workers; among rural grade 11 and 12 students in Bangladesh. A total of 92 students completed anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The average age of the students was 16.8 ± 0.9 years. All the students had heard about AIDS before they completed the questionnaire. Media (75%) was the main source of information. Overall, students had average knowledge regarding selected aspects of HIV/AIDS. A high (>73%) proportion of the students were conversant with the major modes of spread of HIV. Many misconceptions were still noted relating to HIV/AIDS: 40% believed that healthy looking persons cannot be infected with HIV while 27% and 25% believed that coughing/sneezing and mosquito bites spread AIDS, respectively. Majority (75%) of the students indicated that they would not ask to do HIV test before marriage and amongst them more than a quarter reasoned that it might lead to a break-up in the marriage or that marriage might not take place. The knowledge level appeared to be low and misconceptions held about the routes of transmission were common. It is recommended that strategies for AIDS-risk reduction among adolescents be developed in Bangladeshi high schools.