Background
HIV infection is a major public health problem around the world, and ignorance of HIV status is an important factor in the spread of the disease. Prevention methods of this affection is also a great contributor to the control of its propagation. This study was conducted to assess population’s knowledge regarding HIV transmission and prevention measures and therapy.
Methods
This was a cross sectional descriptive study targeting population of at least 15 years of age in health areas of the Dschang health district that include Doumbouo, Fiala-Foreke, Fokoue, Fongo-Ndeng, Fontsa-Touala, Fotetsa,Lingang-Foto, Mbeng. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling in clusters per health area. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire to assess knowledge on HIV transmission/prevention routes and therapy.
Results
A total of 285 participants were reached and included, of which 156 (57.39%) were female and 163 (57.19%) were in the age group 15-24 years. A total of 262 (91.92%) and 209 (72.36%) participants knew that unprotected sexual intercourse and transmission from mother to child during delivering respectively were modes of transmission, 39 (13.55%) declared that HIV could be transmitted through mosquito bites and 6 (2.11%) did not know any transmission mode. Of the participants, 240 (84.47%), 241 (81.05%), 269 (94.18%) and 30 (12.21%) declared abstinence, fidelity, use of condoms and stopping smoking as HIV prevention measures. Of the participants, 221 (80.70%) were aware of the existence of a therapy for HIV of which 138 (52.79%) knew they were antiretrovirals.
Conclusion
Knowledge about the existence of therapy and modes of transmission/prevention of HIV was not mastered by all. Measures should be put in place to inform the population about the modes of transmission of the disease and the prevention options to ensure better control.