Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess current status of knowledge about HlV/AIDS urban slum adolescents
METHODS: A community based cross sectional study was undertaken in urban slum of Chennai city for a period of 15 days. Hundred adolescents in the age group of 15 to 20 years were recruited to be part of the study. Data was gathered through self-administered standardized questionnaire.
RESULTS: 92% of the study participants have heard about lllVIAIDS and 96% of them considered it to be an important public health problem in India. We observed high levels of awareness on certain modes of transmission of lllVIAIDS. There was inadequate knowledge among the study participants regarding safe sex. More than 90% of the adolescents in our study felt that AIDS education must be provided in school/ college and in the community.
DISCUSSION ANDCONCLUSION: Adolescents have a positive attitude regarding lllVIAIDS education. AIDS education and individual counseling could be the tool to bring about attitudinal change and thus control this burgeoning epidemic.
