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ABSTRACT: <br/><br/>Background: HIV/AIDS been one of the greatest threats to the mankind that they have ever come across. AIDS is slowly and gradually taking the shape of an epidemic. <br/><br/>Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of FSWs about prevention of HIV/AIDS in Kathmandu valley. Design: institution based Cross sectional descriptive-analytical study, using structured interview. Study site: Eight areas (New Baneshwor, Balkumari, Bhaktapur, Gangbou, Thamel, Sundhara, Gausala, and Koteshwor) of Kathmandu Valley. Sample size: 95 female sex workers using Purposive and Snowball Sampling. Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed using SPSS 11.5 for widows. <br/><br/>Results and conclusion: Median age of the respondent was 19 year, ranging from 16 to 36 years of age, where majority (72.6%) of the respondents was below the age of 20 years. Around three fifth (61.7%) were unmarried whereas nearly two fifth (38.3%) were married. Around one fifth (25.3%) were illiterate, and more than half (58.9%) had secondary education and only 2.1 percent had higher education. They were involved in the occupation ranging from 3month to 91 month of duration. The average income was NRS20547.88 per month, ranging from NRS7000 to NRS 20547.88 per month. Regarding major source of information on HIV/AIDS, 80.4 percent get information from friends, followed by Radio (81.9%), I/NGOs member (81.9%), health worker (70.2%), Television (41.5%), Teachers (33%), Newspaper (11.7%). Majority (98.9%) was aware on HIV/AIDS. All of the respondents know about transmission of HIV. Regarding way of transmission, all the respondents know transmission of HIV by 'unprotected sex with multiple sex partner', followed by 'exchange of needle/syringe' (68.8%), 'infected blood transfusion' (33.3%), 'infected mothers to baby'(28%)and others. Majority (94.7%) of the respondents say that it can prevent. Regarding way of prevention, majority (94.7%) of the respondents respond it can prevent by 'using condom correctly in each sexual contact' followed by 'avoiding unprotected sex with multiple partner'(93.6%),'do not exchange needle/syringe(60.6%),using sterilized needle/syringe (43.6%), blood transfusion only after screening HIV test(24.5%),not bearing child by infected women(20.2%). Of total 95 respondents, 73.7percentage had inadequate knowledge on prevention of HIV/AIDS whereas just more than one fourth (26.3%) had inadequate knowledge of HIV prevention. Majority (72.6%) were not aware about VCT and only 27.4% aware about VCT. Regarding service provided from VCT, majority (92.3%) of the respondents know free blood test for HIV/AIDS, followed by counseling about HIV/AIDS (73.1%), free treatment of STD(42.3%),and others(7.7%) Majority (80.9%) of the respondents had positive attitude towards HIV infected person and nearly one fifth (19.1%) were neutral towards HIV infected person The proportion of adequate knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention was higher among literate respondents then in illiterate. There is no significant relation of knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention with educational status (p-value= 0.214) and with media expose (p-value= 0.545). The proportion of positive attitude was higher among literate respondents then in illiterate respondents but there was no negative attitude towards HIV infection. And there is no significant relation of attitude towards HIV infected person with education status (p-value= 0.720) and with media information exposure (p-value= 0.625). The existing awareness program on HIV/AIDS focusing female sex workers should be strengthened and the related NGOs/INGOs should act as gap fulfiller in providing knowledge on HIV/AIDS to Female sex worker |
