Knowledge on HIV-AIDS and Practice of Sexual Behavior among High Risk Behavior Group in Saptari and Jhapa District, Nepal

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the immune system, destroying or impairing their function. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remains a public health problem of major significance in most parts of the world. The first HIV infection was detected in 1988 in Nepal. Since then HIV and AIDS epidemic has evolved from low to concentrated among “high risk behavior groups”. The objective of this study was to find out knowledge on HIV-AIDS and assess the types of behavior that places them at risk of contracting HIV-AIDS in Saptari and Jhapa district of Nepal. This was the cross sectional descriptive study carried out among 457 high risk behavior groups, who come for treatment at VCT centres of both district. Multi stage sampling was adopted and data were collected using a pre-tested interview schedule. The study reported that majority of respondents (72.65 %) was fully correct about HIV and (73.30%) about AIDS. Majority of respondents (91.90 %) had using condom. Around 36.54 % reported to have undergone the initiation of experience sex much earlier at < 15 years of age. More than half of the respondents (56.02 %) had used alcohol during sexual activity. Respondents had high practices (96.50 %) of condom use among the respondents who had knowledge about HIV. There is significant association between knowledge about HIV and practice of condom use (Cal χ 20.05,1 = 199.10 > Tab χ 20.05,1, p= 0.000). Practice of addiction, injecting drugs without doctor’s prescription, use of alcohol during sexual activity, negligence to use condom, early age at first sex, and use of intoxicating drugs were found the major types of behavior that places the respondents at risk of contracting HIV-AIDS. Based on the results of the study and experiences, it seems to conduct different activities as increase the awareness of HIV-AIDS to make high risk behavior groups aware from the comprehensive knowledge of transmission of HIV-AIDS, awareness program to promote safer sexual practices, Prevention programs for consistent use of condom, Free condom distribution programs through NGOs/ health workers/ volunteers to cover the target population etc.