Needs assessment of AIDS prevention and control among adults in an area with AIDS epidemic in Anhui,China

Objective To assess HIV/AIDS knowledge,attitude and practice,awareness of child right and general health behaviors among adults in an area with HIV/AIDS epidemic.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 561 adults in 7 natural villages selected using stratified clustered sampling method.A face-to-face interview with structured questionnaire was anonymously administered after informed consent.Results Among the 546 participants,91.4% had not heard of child right convention.7.0% did not wash hands before meals and after using toilet.66.8% of the female participants did not have personal basin and towel to wash genital area.81.3% of the male participants had their own shaver.Most participants(94.1%) had heard of AIDS,316 subjects answered 80% or more of the knowledge questions(57.9%),males were more likely to be correct than female((χ~2=6.06),(P=0.014)).Totally 61.1% hoped to publicize identity of people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA),18.5% did not want PLWHA staying in the village,27.1% said PLWHA should not plant and sell produce.12.6% had HIV test,men were more likely to have HIV test((χ~2=7.71),(P=0.027)).(82.2%) had sexual intercourse in the past year,16.7% used condoms during last sex and(5.7%) used condoms for all the last three sexual acts.Conclusions This study demonstrated low awareness of child rights among adults in areas with HIV/AIDS epidemic,which was a barrier of improving child survival and development and reducing the HIV/AIDS impact on children.The local adults had relative high levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge and positive attitude,but condom use rate was low.Further interventional and educational activities should focus on the existing rumors and misconceptions and problems,with goals of AIDS prevention and AIDS impact reduction.