A cross-sectional study of practices regarding HIV/AIDS among attendees of integrated counseling and testing center at the SMS Medical College, Jaipur

Introduction: This proposed study was carried out among attendees of integrated counseling and testing center (ICTC) associated with the SMS Medical College, Jaipur which included general population as well as multiple types of high-risk behavior people to determine practices about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to correlate the socio-demographic profile of attendees with their practice about HIV/AIDS.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 177 attendees at ICTC at the SMS Medical College, Jaipur from May 2015 to October 2015. Data were collected through an anonymous pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire. Continuous variables were summarized as mean and standard deviation while categorical variables as proportion (%). Chi-square test was used for the analysis of categorical variable. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was done to find out predictors of practice. All statistical calculations were done by using the Med Calc. 12.2.1.0 software.

Results: Most participants were male (80.79%), age group 20-29 year (44.07%), married (57.63%), Hindu (92.09%), from OBC caste (36.72%), graduate (22.6%), from urban setting (53.11%), joint family (66.67%), from socio-economic Class 1 (31.07%), and referred by doctor (61.02%). About 22% agreed that they had sexual intercourse with a person other than spouse; 8.47% agreed on having more than one sexual partner; 8.39% male respondents agreed that they had sex with men. Poor practice was prevalent in 16.38%. Gender, age, literacy, mode of referral, socio-economic class, and area of residence were found significantly associated (P < 0.05) with high-risk behavior. Literacy of respondents was found only significant predictor of practice scores in stepwise multivariate regression analysis with following regression equation - Practice score = 2.9821 + 0.3421 (Education).

Conclusion: Literacy of respondents was found only significant predictor of practice scores. Government should strengthen IEC activities and ongoing HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs.