Publication Date: 2024/02/15
Abstract: Background: HIV/AIDS has been one of the world's most serious health and development challenges. There is no definitive cure for HIV infection yet, but Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) helps in controlling the progression of disease. Increasing access to HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care has enabled people living with HIV to lead a long and healthy life. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of the adult population. Aims and Objectives: To analyze the progress in the knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS, to compare literacy rate with knowledge and to witness the progress of 95-95-95 target amongadults (15-49 years of age) in India. Materials and Methods: The study used a narrative description, with NFHS fact sheets (NFHS-3,4&5) India collected from credible sources. In the analysis four indicators were studied i.e., women and men who have comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS, women and men who know that consistent condom use can reduce the chance of getting HIV/AIDS. Results: The awareness in the women has been increased to 13.5% between NFHS 4 and NFHS 5 as compared to men where a minimal improvement of 4.6% was seen. In terms of cumulative indicators, there was an improvement of 4.1% at country level. Increase in knowledge and awareness in NFHS-5 compared to NFHS-4 was seen highest in Lakshadweepwith a change of 31.9% and highest decline was observed in Punjab by 20.2%. Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS is very scarce in most part of India. This indicates we are still quite far in achieving the goal of 95-95-95 target. It is essential to improveknowledge and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among individuals, to bridge the gap of misconception and discrimination.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS Awareness, NFHS 5, National Family Health Survey 5, 95-95-95 Target, Prevalence, Prevention, Anti-Retroviral Therapy.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10663972
PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT24FEB337.pdf
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