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Background: Ascribed traditional gender role has rarely been examined in the topical area of protected sex. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between HIV knowledge, ascribed cultural gender roles of machismo and marianismo, acculturation, attitudes toward risky sexual behaviors and sexual self-efficacy on protected sex, and the mediating effect of sexual self-efficacy between these predictors and protected sex. Methods: Part of a larger study, Hispanic college students from a Hispanic-serving institution in a U.S. southern border city were recruited. Results and Conclusion: Sexual self-efficacy was found a significant mitigating factor against sexual risks associated with machismo as well as a positive reinforcing element on attitudes toward protected sex. Study findings have implications toward the development of culturally sensitive evidence-based interventions that promote sexual self-efficacy skills among Hispanic males who strongly identify with culturally ascribed gender roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Karo District is one of the districts in North Sumatera province where from 2016 to 2018 the number of HIV sufferers increased dramatically to 384 people and then it increased to 775 people up to September 2020. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of people with HIV/AIDS and the experiences of the church members regarding people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Design and Methods: Qualitative research design with descriptive phenomenology approach. Data collection was carried out by interviewing 34 participants in Karo District. The data analysis in this study used the Collaizi technique. Results: Five themes were obtained from the results of the study, namely the responses of the participants diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, health problems faced by PLWHA, stigma and discrimination, the support of family and church members given to PWLHA, and family/church members' expectations toward PLWHA. Conclusions: Based on the findings of the themes, the role of the National AIDS Commission of Moderamen Karo Batak Protestant Church (GBKP) in responding to HIV and AIDS cannot be optimally implemented because of some obstacles namely, localization which is a determinant of the spread of cases, the unavailability of service and ARV in all health centers, lack of sectoral cross-cooperation, very insufficient financial support from the government, the role of nurses played only in the hospitals and the stigmatism to those people with HIV/AIDS due to lack of knowledge of HIV and AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing is important for controlling the epidemic in low- and middle-income countries such as the Dominican Republic (DR) – a country in the Caribbean. This study aimed to examine factors associated with HIV testing in the DR. The study used HIV test data in the 2013 DR Demographic and Health Survey. HIV data were collected from 18,614 individuals aged 15–59 years. Wealth status, HIV-related stigma, and knowledge scales were constructed using factor analysis. Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to identify correlates of HIV testing in the DR. Results show that almost two-thirds (62.4%) of the participants reported ever having an HIV test. In the multivariable analysis, older age, higher education, female gender, richest wealth status, health insurance, married, higher HIV-knowledge, and lower HIV-related stigma increased the likelihood of getting an HIV test in the DR. People living in Norte/Cibao, which had a higher HIV prevalence, had a lower chance of having an HIV test than people living in the Este/Sureste region. Although HIV testing has increased in recent times, it is not yet satisfactory in the DR. Specific interventions building HIV awareness targeting specific sub-populations and regions will increase knowledge on HIV and reduce HIV-related stigma, and may increase HIV testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural incarcerated women have an increased risk of acquiring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) due to prevalent engagement in drug use and sexual behaviors. Limited research has investigated HIV and HCV knowledge in this high-risk population. Furthermore, the interplay of sociodemographic factors (i.e., education, age, income, and sexual orientation) and risky behavior is understudied in this population. The present study evaluated a sample of adult, predominately White women from rural Kentucky (n = 387) who were recruited from local jails. The sample had high HIV and HCV knowledge but also reported extensive risk behaviors including 44% engaging in sex work and 75.5% reporting a history of drug injection. The results of multiple regression analysis for risky sexual behavior indicated that sexual minority women and those with less HIV knowledge were more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. The regression model identifying the significant correlates of risky drug behavior indicated that HIV knowledge, age, and income were negative correlates and that sexual minority women were more likely to engage in high-risk drug use. When HCV knowledge was added to the regression models already including HIV knowledge, the interaction was significant for drug risk. Interventions for rural imprisoned women should consider the varied impact of sociodemographic background and prioritize HIV education to more effectively deter risky sexual and drug behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While older African American women (e.g., aged 50 years and older) comprise only 11% of the female population in the United States, they account for 50% of HIV diagnoses among women in this age group. Unique sociocultural factors, including a lack of HIV knowledge and stigma, contribute to HIV risk among older African American women. The goal of this qualitative study was to obtain a nuanced perspective from older African American women about HIV knowledge and experiences with HIV using the framework of intersectionality theory. Focus groups were conducted with 35 African American women who were 50 years and older, nonpartnered, and heterosexual. Women were asked what they knew about HIV and if they thought older women were at risk for HIV. A thematic analysis using NVivo 11 yielded two central themes and three subthemes: HIV knowledge, including experiential knowledge, superficial knowledge, and no knowledge, and stigma around HIV in the Black church. Implications for developing HIV prevention programs and testing messages are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV rates are disproportionately higher in the incarcerated compared to the general population. Unfortunately, HIV sero-positive inmates report perceived discrimination and missed antiretroviral doses. Correctional facility nursing competency in HIV management may mitigate these concerns. Using validated knowledge instruments, the authors measured baseline HIV knowledge in correctional facility nurses from 3 correctional facilities in Alberta, Canada, and quantified changes after a targeted educational workshop. Basic HIV knowledge increased significantly, whereas perceived need for further HIV education significantly decreased postintervention. This study demonstrates that correctional facility nurses may not receive ideal HIV education during employment and that targeted HIV workshops can significantly increase knowledge and confidence when caring for affected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HIV public health messages in South Africa have increased. Our objective was to evaluate changes over time in HIV testing behaviour, prevalence and knowledge. We prospectively enrolled adults (≥18 years) prior to HIV testing at one urban and one peri-urban outpatient department in Durban, South Africa. A baseline questionnaire administered before testing included the number of prior HIV tests and four knowledge items. We used test results to estimate previously undiagnosed HIV prevalence among those tested. We assessed linear trends over enrollment. From November 2006 to August 2010, 5229 subjects enrolled and 4877 (93%) were HIV tested and had results available. Subjects reporting prior testing over time increased, from 13% in study year 1 to 42% in year 4 (linear trend p < 0.001). The HIV prevalence among those tested declined steadily and significantly over time, from 64% of enrollees in study year 1 to 39% in the final year (linear trend p < 0.001). The percentage of subjects who recognised that medicine can help people with HIV live longer increased from 80% in study year 1 to 96% in study year 4. Rates of HIV testing have increased and prevalence among those tested has decreased in outpatients in Durban, South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: HIV disproportionately affects young men who have sex with men, and knowledge about HIV transmission is one factor that may play a role in high rate of infections for this population. This study examined racial/ethnic differences in HIV knowledge among young men who have sex with men in the USA and their correlation to condom usage errors. Design: Participants included an ethnically diverse sample of 344 young men who have sex with men screened from an ongoing longitudinal cohort study. Eligible participants were between the ages of 16 and 20 years, born male and had previously had at least one sexual encounter with a man and/or identify as gay or bisexual. This analysis is based on cross-sectional data collected at the baseline interview using computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI) software. Setting: Chicago, IL, USA. Method: We utilised descriptive and inferential statistics, including analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc analysis to assess differences in HIV knowledge by level of education and race/ethnicity, and negative binomial regression to determine whether HIV knowledge was associated with condom errors while controlling for age, education and race/ethnicity. Results: The study found that Black men who have sex with men scored significantly lower (average score = 67%; p < .05) than their White counterparts (average score = 83%) on a measure of HIV knowledge (mean difference = 16.1%, p < .001). Participants with less than a high school diploma and those with a high school diploma/general education diploma (GED) only had lower knowledge scores, on average (66.4% and 69.9%, respectively) than participants who had obtained post-high school education (78.1%; mean difference = 11.7% and 8.2%, respectively, ps < .05). In addition, controlling for age, race and level of education, higher HIV knowledge scores were associated with fewer condom errors (Exp B = .995, confidence interval [CI] = 0.992–0.999, p < .05). Conclusion: Findings stress the need for increased attention to HIV transmission–related educational activities targeting the social realities and unique risk mechanisms of young men who have sex with men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV prevention programs targeting men who have sex with men, Blacks, and young adults commonly use measures of HIV knowledge as an important component of demonstrating overall program effectiveness. These scales, however, are rarely subjected to repeated analysis to confirm reliability and validity and the results of psychometric analysis rarely include subpopulation variations. In this study, we administered an adapted version of a previously validated HIV knowledge scale to participants of a large, city-wide HIV prevention program (n = 5,027) and performed psychometric analysis to determine if differences existed across populations. Analysis showed that the HIV knowledge scale performed poorly for men who have sex with men, but very well for transgenders. Results were similar for Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites, very poor for 30- to 39-year-olds, but very well for 60+ year olds. Findings underscore the need for further research on the measurement of HIV knowledge among high-risk populations and the importance of culturally appropriate survey items tailored to each population. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses a study to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, sources of HIV information and behaviors related to HIV, and to explore the difference in the HIV knowledge and attitudes between genders and school years among college students in China. The study concluded that low rates of condom use and insufficient knowledge on HIV prevention among college students in China remain a significant problem. The findings may be used to develop effective HIV prevention strategies in China.

Based on data from a population-based survey conducted in 2003 in a province in southwestern China, we provide data on knowledge about HIV transmission, HIV stigmatizing attitudes, and willingness to take HIV-related risks. There were widespread misconceptions, especially among females, about how HIV is transmitted and negative feelings toward someone with HIV. There was considerable willingness to take more sexual risks (not using a condom; nondisclosure of HIV seropositive status) with a secondary than with a primary sexual partner. The misconceptions and stigma surrounding HIV may make it difficult to focus on HIV as a 'disease' as opposed to a 'social malady' for survey participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge level of undergraduate students of a Nigerian university about HIV/AIDS, their perception of risk of contracting HIV/AIDS based on their sexual behaviour, and to assess how students acquire information about HIV/AIDS.The sample consisted of 380 students from five faculties of the university who volunteered to participate in the study. Participants completed a survey asking about their knowledge about transmission, symptomatology and prevention of HIV/AIDS. The survey included questions about their sexual orientation, past and present sexual practices as well as sources of information about HN/AIDS.The results indicated that the students were knowledgeable about transmission and symptomatology but there were some misconceptions about the mode of transmission of HIV Few students identified themselves to be at high risk even though majority of them (92%) were sexually experienced. The study also showed that even though these students are knowledgeable and concerned about contracting HIV/AIDS from their partners, this did not prevent them from engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse. It appears, however, that students are exercising caution when negotiating new sexual relationships, as they are likely to discuss (and insist on) using condoms, and ask to have a monogamous relationship.Students obtained information about HIV/AIDS primarily from the media rather than from school classrooms and homes, which suggests a need to increase educational efforts at the university. Many students of this university may be at risk of becoming HIV infected due to their age bracket, level of sexual activity and past/present sexual behaviors. University faculty can be actively involved in developing and implementing HIV/AIDS education and prevention strategies on their campuses. Health educators must go beyond providing accurate and gender-specific information about HIV/AIDS; they must also help students realistically assess their own risk of infection, and develop communication processes which enable them to negotiate safer sexual practices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Knowledge of hiv/aids, exposure to hiv/aids information and appreciation of given information was studied, by a questionnaire, among 326 Kenyan and 146 Swedish teenage school students in 1994. The aim of the study was to examine differences and similarities in knowledge in the two populations and to examine which sources of information about hiv and aids the respondents had been exposed to and which were most appreciated.The overall knowledge about hiv/aids was high but in specific items the knowledge and awareness of different risk behaviours for contracting hiv/aids differed for the Kenyan and Swedish teenagers. The dissemination of hard factual information about hiv/aids has thus been successful in reaching out although not in stopping the spread of hiv/aids. This calls for new strategies in disease prevention and health promotion. Those strategies should focus much more on lifestyle changes. The health care system, the school and the existing strong civil and voluntary information structures have an important role to play in that work. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]