Perception about AIDS among residents of a Calcutta slum
Poddar, A.K.; Poddar, D.S.; Mandal, R.N.
Indian Journal of Public Health 40(1): 4-9
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-557X PMID: 9090893 Document Number: 526543
206 mainly poor and lower middle-class residents of the Chetla slum of South Calcutta were interviewed with regard to their perceptions and sources of information about AIDS. The goal was to assess the impact of the current mass education program against AIDS. One member was randomly selected from each of 206 families to participate in the study. Respondents were aged 16-80 years, of mean age 35-42 years, 43.7% male, 80% married, 19% illiterate, and 94% Hindu. 66% had their own television and radio which they watched/heard for approximately 3.5 hours daily. Another 28% watched television outside for approximately 1.5 hours each day. Approximately 46% and 20% were daily and occasional newspaper readers, respectively. 59% knew about people vulnerable to contracting AIDS, but most associated HIV risk only with promiscuity and prostitution. Avoiding such behavior was deemed to be the best way to avoid contracting HIV. Only 2.5% knew that condom use can protect against HIV infection. The source of that knowledge was mainly television, either alone or with other mass media. Such knowledge was related to higher education. The authors suggest that local health and voluntary agencies involve the community in the AIDS education program, backed up by the mass media. An agency solely responsible for AIDS education should be established in each major city to coordinate local agency activities.