Knowledge,attitude and related factors associate with HIV/AIDS among female prisoners in Shaanxi province

Objective To investigate the knowledge,attitude and related factors associated with HIV/AIDS among female prisoners in Shaanxi province.Method A cross-sectional survey with questionnaire was conducted in 837 female prisoners.Results Of the studied female prisoners 94% had heard of HIV/AIDS.The rate of correct answer on basic knowledge about AIDS was 19.8%-87.3%.The rate of correct answer on the transmission route was 11.6%-87.6%.The rate of correct answer on non-transmission route was 23.4%-48.6%.The rate of correct answer on prevention was 36.7%-57.5%.Of them 46.6%-55.7% were afraid of AIDS,and 26.6%-90.0% had prdjudice and stigma to HIV/AIDS and PLWHA(people living with HIV/AIDS).The factors affecting HIV/AIDS related knowledge included marriage status,career,education background and number of family members.The factors affecting attitude included age and education background.Conclusion The studied female prisoners have wide but superficial knowledge about HIV/AIDS and have expressed over fear for HIV/AIDS.They also cannot tolerate AIDS patients.