HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes of STD clinic attendees in St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Behav 2003 Sep;7(3):221-8
Date
10/31/2003Pubmed ID
14586185DOI
10.1023/a:1025423217673Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0141456148 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 16 CitationsAbstract
Over the last several years, Russia has experienced dramatic increases in rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted disease (STDs). This study examined HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes toward condoms, and sources of information about HIV in a sample of 200 male and 200 female Russian STD clinic patients. Study participants displayed substantial knowledge deficits concerning AIDS and HIV transmission. Superior knowledge was associated with younger age, greater education, positive attitudes toward condoms, having more sources of information about HIV/AIDS, and believing that the government is telling the truth about AIDS. More-positive attitudes toward condoms were associated with having a larger number of information sources, greater HIV/AIDS knowledge, and not being in a steady relationship. Many participants reported not trusting government and media sources of information concerning AIDS. Participants also reported concerns regarding the low quality and high cost of condoms in Russia. Results of the study suggest that interventions designed to increase knowledge and awareness of AIDS among Russians at high risk for HIV are urgently needed.
Author List
Pinkerton SD, Dyatlov RV, DiFranceisco W, Benotsch EG, Smirnova TS, Dudko VY, Belyanin DV, Kozlov AAuthor
Wayne J. DiFranceisco Research Scientist II in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Condoms
Female
HIV Infections
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Education as Topic
Russia
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Urban Population
