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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Deborah Holtzman, PhD1, Jason Hsia, PhD2, Richard B. Rubinson, PhD3, Shikun Zhang, MD4, Feng Yun Bao4, Lixia Mo4, and Shengli Chen, MD4. (1) Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop K-66, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-2466, dxh4@cdc.gov, (2) Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, N.E., Mailstop K-21, Atlanta, GA 30341, (3) Department of Sociology, Emory University, 1555 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, (4) Information, Education & Communication Department, The State Family Planning Commission, 14 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100088, China
Although estimates of AIDS cases in China are relatively low, over 600,000 persons were thought to be infected with HIV by year end 2000. To better understand AIDS in China, the State Family Planning Commission conducted the first general population survey to assess knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of these HIV-related measures, sociodemographic variation, and implications of the findings are described. From 7 counties representing low to high economic development areas across China, a sample of persons (15-49 years) was randomly selected. Households interviews in December 2000 yielded 7,053 respondents. Weighted prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Almost 17% of respondents had never heard of AIDS, over half did not know what causes AIDS, and 67.9% did not know how AIDS could be detected. While 90.7% said AIDS could be transmitted, over 80% did not know AIDS could be transmitted from sharing needles or from an infected women to her newborn. Similarly, although 74.3% said that AIDS was preventable, over 75% did not know that HIV/AIDS could be prevented by using condoms correctly, avoiding unsafe blood transfusions, or avoiding sharing needles. Respondents in the high economic region, at the highest education and income levels, and who were not farmers/farm workers were significantly likely to have more AIDS knowledge. The results suggest an immediate and urgent call for action in China. With the possibility of a significant AIDS epidemic and a substantial lack of knowledge among residents, the need for widespread educational programs is critical.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Public Health Education and Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.