ICPHSP4005

                                                                                                         

“The perception of barriers and health beliefs related to HIV/AIDS among students of the University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Click here to download Pdf file.

 

Authors:      

1*Rezarta Lalo, RN, MSN, PhD Candidate,

2*Gjergji Theodhosi MD, Prof., Dr.,

                   

Affiliations:

1*Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, University ‘Ismail Qemali’ Vlora, Albania

2*Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania

 

 

Abstract:

 

Introduction: The sexuality vary across populations and cultures and this has been demonstrated to have a major impact on sexual behavior that is probably responsible for much of the differences in heterosexual HIV and AIDS epidemics among countries.

 

Purpose: To evaluate the perceptions of barriers and health beliefs related to HIV/AIDS among students of Vlora University.

 

Methodology: This is a descriptive study where quantitative method was used for the data and information resulting from a survey structured in the form of a questionnaire. The study participants were 721 randomly selected students from the Vlora University. For statistical analysis of the data was used statistical program SAS version 9.1. A p values ≤ 0,05 were accepted as statistically significant.

 

Results: 69% of students think that would feel insulted if the partner would require the use of condoms, 47% believe that a person infected with HIV can be identified from his / her thin look, 33% think that a person should be worried about HIV / AIDS only if gets sick with HIV. With statistically significant difference was assessed the relationship between the perception of barriers and marital status of respondents (p =0.0294 >0.05 chi square), the perceptions of barriers with accomodation of the students (p =0.0213 < 0.05 chi square), the perception of barriers with academic year (p =0.0019 < 0.05 chi square). There is a strong connection between the perception of barriers and sexual behaviors of students (P<0.0001 Chi-Square <0.05).

 

Conclusion: Findings have relevant implications and are discussed in the context of developing an educational or intervention programme

 

Key words:

barriers, perception, health beliefs, student, HIV.