A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN HIV/AIDS AWARENESS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN THE VOLGOGRAD REGION OVER THE PAST DECADE

Objective. To evaluate changes in HIV/AIDS awareness among young people living in the Volgograd Region over the past decade. Materials and methods. Young patients aged 15-24 years who lived in the Volgograd Region were interviewed anonymously in 2003-2004 (n = 243) and in 2013-2014 (n = 141). The percentage of the respondents’ answers was estimated in the sample population. The results obtained in the present study were compared with those obtained ten years ago. Results. The levels of awareness about HIV transmission routes, including its parenteral one, among the young people have increased. However, the young people’s awareness about a number questions, such as a vertical transmission of HIV, have even slightly declined; but that about other questions (such as a sexual route of transmission) has not changed dramatically, remaining to be not quite high. Conclusion. HIV/AIDS awareness among the young people living in the Volgograd Region has increased as a whole; however, it is still quite low, which necessitates further health education measures for this category of people, by using the most important information sources (TV and Internet) and by attracting competent authorities and public figures among young people.

HIV infection, awareness, young people, comparative analysis