Assessment of HIV infection awareness in Moscow dwellers according to the results of the 2014 surveys

Objective. To assess HIV infection awareness in the dwellers of the Central Administrative District of Moscow; to provide valid information to everybody who incorrectly answered indicator questions. Subjects and methods. An anonymous survey using indicator questions was conducted in March-June 2014. A total of 696 persons who were being examined to have a medical certificate at Branch Four, V.A. Gilyarovsky Mental Hospital Three, Moscow Healthcare Department, were questioned. 142 to 232 respondents were asked questions concerning each of the given indicators. Results. As high as 66.5% of those asked gave a correct answer to whether HIV might be transmitted through a mosquito bite. 18.3% answered incorrectly; 15.2% found difficulty in replying. Wrong answers were most common in a group of young people under 20 years of age. 61.3% of the asked agreed with the statement that the condom reliably protected against HIV transmission; 30.1% gave a contrary answer and 8.6% found difficulty in replying. As high as 52.4% of the questioned healthcare workers considered the condom to be a reliable preventive means. Conclusion. The found poor awareness of the transmission routes of HIV and its preventive measures among young people and healthcare workers requires compensation within the framework of adequate preventive and information programs.

HIV infection, awareness, prevention