Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour of Students of a Romanian University Centre Concerning HIV/AIDS

Lucia Lotrean and Valeria Laza

Department of Environmental Health, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Corresponding author: Lucia Lotrean, M.D.
    Primaverii street, 6, Bl S2, ap 166
    RO-3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Fax number: +40 64 197257
    E-mail: llotrean@hotmail.com

CEJOEM 2001, Vol.7. No.1.:45-52

Key words:
HIV/AIDS, use of condom, sexual habits, students, health education

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude and behaviour of students from Cluj-Napoca (Romania) concerning HIV infection and AIDS. Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to a random sample of 400 students (200 males and 200 females) from 8 youth hostels subserving the universities of Cluj-Napoca. The questionnaire has aimed to assess students' knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS and their behaviour to HIV risk. The results of the study show that the students have good knowledge about the main ways of transmission and prevention of HIV, but there are also a few erroneous notions, which must be corrected. Even if almost all the study subjects know that use of condoms is an adequate method of protection against HIV infection, nearly 41% of the sexually active ones do not use them. In spite of this, 95.3% of the subjects believe that their own risk of getting HIV is low or even absent. The results affirm that more HIV prevention efforts need to be exerted among young people. Campaigns of information and education should emphasis the importance of safe sex and help young people to develop skills in order to keep themselves at lower risk of getting HIV/AIDS.

Received: 05 December 2000
Accepted: 30 May 2001

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