Awareness of AIDS in India: effect of public education through the mass media

A survey conducted in Vellore India in 1989 assessed AIDS awareness among patients. Medical workers interviewed 231 outpatients 134 clinic patients with sexually transmitted diseases and 71 prostitutes. Among the outpatients 42% of the men were not aware of AIDS due to illiteracy (p0.05) lower socioeconomic class (p0.05) and rural residence (p0.05). 71% of the women were not aware of AIDS due to illiteracy (p0.001) and lower socioeconomic class (p0.001). Among the clinic patients 74% of the men and 89% of the women were not aware of AIDS due mainly to illiteracy and lower socioeconomic status (p0.001). Only 4% of the prostitutes were aware of AIDS; 94% were illiterate. The study shows that health education has been inadequate and does not reach those who are at the highest risk of contracting the disease. The researchers urge the development of new public health education programs.