Investigation on AIDS knowledge among middle school students of Anhui province

Objective To identify the levels of AIDS knowledge among middle school students in project areas to evaluate the impact of AIDS project and assess the needs for future activities.Methods Using cluster sampling method,2 506 students were recruited in eight project counties in Anhui province.A structured questionnaire was anonymously self-administered for each student in class.Results Among 2 506 sdudents,85.9% knew AIDS basic facts,which was higher than the baseline survey conducted 2 years ago.Female students were less likely to know AIDS than male students(91.5% vs.92.6%,χ²=28.77,P<0.001).High school students were more likely to know AIDS than secondary school students (79.4% vs.8916%χ²=252.08,P<0.001).Students were more likely to know transmission routes than non-transmission routes(81.3% vs.55.7%,χ²=378.88,P<0.001).The proportion of knowing voluntary blood donation was only 56.1% and the proportion of knowing voluntary counseling and test(VCT)service was 65.4%.The proportion of receiving life skill training was 48.1%.Conclusion AIDS awareness increased compared to baseline of the gobal fund AIDS project.However,the rates of knowing voluntary blood donation and VCT were low and many students did not know some of non-transmission routes.Comprehensive school AIDS education activities will be designed to raise awareness of AIDS,blood donation and VCT and life skills,in order to reach the goal of AIDS project and the national plan of HIV/AIDS prevention and control.