A study of Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour and Practice (KABP) among the attendees of Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre of Tertiary Care Hospital of Northern Hilly State of India

Abstract

Background: In India, low knowledge of HIV/AIDS and low utilization of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), is a problem especially in the rural areas. Aims: To assess the knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practices (KABP) of HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative clients attending Integrated and testing centre (ICTC) in a tertiary hospital of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study. Material and Methods: A total of 525 attendees, in the age group of 15 to < 50 years, who attended ICTC consecutively either voluntarily or referred from different departments of tertiary hospital and from other districts were included as study subjects. After counselling and confirmation of HIV status according to NACO; diagnosis of TB was done as per RNTCP guidelines. The questionnaire was administered to each client to evaluate risky behaviour and KABP about HIV/AIDS. Statistical analysis: SPSS version 11 was used. Results: 53.5% of seropositives; wherein 35.2% seronegatives demonstrated good knowledge and modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS. However, 15.6% of seropositives whereas 22% seronegatives did not know how HIV/AIDS spreads. 21.4% seronegatives, whereas 15.7% seropositives knew about protection imparted by condom. All the seropositives were sexually active and 63.4% of them had multiple partners in comparison to 82.2% of seronegatives had sexual experience and 8% multiple sexual partners (P < .00001). Moreover, condom usage was nil among both the groups. 20% of seropositives; only 2.8% of seronegatives had sex with commercial sex workers (CSWs) (p < .00001). Conclusions: There is need to enhance knowledge and scale up VCT services