MYTHS, FACTS, PRECAUTIONS AND TREATMENT BASED ON KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONNAIRE (KQ-18) REGARDING HIV/AIDS AMONG MARRIED AND NEVER MARRIED ADULTS (25-35 YEARS) IN MUMBAI & THANE

The lack of proper awareness and knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS may leave a large section of the population vulnerable to contract the disease. Correct knowledge and awareness regarding the disease is a general prerequisite for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes and risky practices are major hindrances to preventing the spread of HIV. The objective was to obtain the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS on the basis of knowledge questionnaire (KQ-18) among married and never married men and women in Mumbai and Thane district of age 25- 35 years. The sample consisted of 120 participants (30 married men, 30 married women, 30 never married men, and 30 never married women) ages 25-35 years. The tool was divided into 2 categories a) Proforma [18 introductory questions, such as gender family type] and b) Knowledge questionnaire [standardized tool of knowledge questionnaire (KQ-18) comprising of 18 items]. Results revealed that participants had high knowledge about symptoms i.e., having sex with more than one partner can increase person's chance of being affected with HIV; treatment i.e., there is a vaccine that can stop adults from getting HIV, precaution i.e., a person can get HIV by sitting in a hot tub or a swimming pool with a person who has HIV. Astonishingly, participants had a very low knowledge about women getting HIV if she has anal sex with a man, taking a test for HIV one week after having sex will tell a person if she or he has HIV and a natural skin condom works better against HIV than does a latex condom in terms of symptoms, treatment and precautions respectively. These research findings led us to believe that there is a need to impart knowledge in relation to HIV/AIDS.