Knowledge and Risk Perception toward HIV/AIDS among Students of the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”
Author(s)
Violeta Zefi*
ABSTRACT
The primary goal of this research paper is to examine knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the perceived risk of infection with HIV among students in Kosovo. The research method used in this study is the quantitative one where data were collected through questionnaire. The survey was conducted with two hundred students of the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, from four study fields: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chemistry and Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among students was not complete, i.e. they have misconceptions regarding the ways of transmission of HIV virus. The less that students were informed on HIV/AIDS, the higher was their level of stigma. Perception of risk to HIV/AIDS was very low.
The primary goal of this research paper is to examine knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the perceived risk of infection with HIV among students in Kosovo. The research method used in this study is the quantitative one where data were collected through questionnaire. The survey was conducted with two hundred students of the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, from four study fields: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chemistry and Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among students was not complete, i.e. they have misconceptions regarding the ways of transmission of HIV virus. The less that students were informed on HIV/AIDS, the higher was their level of stigma. Perception of risk to HIV/AIDS was very low.
KEYWORDS
Level of Knowledge, Risk Perception, HIV/AIDS, Students, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”
Level of Knowledge, Risk Perception, HIV/AIDS, Students, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”
Cite this paper
Zefi, V. (2015). Knowledge and Risk Perception toward HIV/AIDS among Students of the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”. Psychology, 6, 191-200. doi: 10.4236/psych.2015.63018.
Zefi, V. (2015). Knowledge and Risk Perception toward HIV/AIDS among Students of the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”. Psychology, 6, 191-200. doi: 10.4236/psych.2015.63018.
References
[1] Anderson, K. G., Beutel, A. M., & Maughan-Brown, B. (2007). HIV Risk Perceptions and First Sexual Intercourse among Youth in Cape Town, South Africa. International Family Planning Perspectives, 98-105. [2] Biswas, M. M. (2004). Gender Differences in Knowledge, Attitudes and Prevention of HIV/AIDS/STI among Youth in West Bengal, India. In The 132nd Annual Meeting. [3] Godinho, J., Jaganjac, N., Eckertz, D., Renton, A., & Novotny, Th. (2005). HIV/AIDS in the Western Balkans Priorities for Early Prevention in a High-Risk Environment. Washington DC: The World Bank.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/0-8213-6394-8 [4] Kosovar AIDS Committee (2004-2008). Kosovar Strategy for HIV/AIDS Prevention 2004-2008. Prishtine: Kosovar AIDS Committee. [5] Kosovo Ministry of Health (2001). Knowledge of School Youth on AIDS. Prishtine: Office for HIV/AIDS. [6] Leili, S., Elham, S., & Farkhondeh, S. (2008). A Population-Based Survey of HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes in General Public, Bandar-Abbas, Iran. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 24, 838-844. [7] National Institute of Public Health (2001). Knowledge, Attitude and Habits of Youngsters to Sexual and Reproductive Health. Prishtine: National Institute of Public Health. [8] Neupane, S., Nichols, D., & Thapa, S. (2003). Knowledge and Beliefs about HIV/AIDS among Young People in Urban Nepal. Asia Pacific Population Journal, 18, 39-52. [9] Rahman, M. (2009). Determinants of Knowledge and Awareness about AIDS: Urban-Rural Differentials in Bangladesh. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, 1, 014-021. [10] Serlo, K. L. (1999). Attitudes of University Students towards HIV/AIDS. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 29, 463-470.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1999.00909.x [11] United Nations Kosovo Team (2008). Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Behavior of Young People in Kosovo on HIV/ AIDS. Prishtine: United Nations Kosovo Team.
[1] Anderson, K. G., Beutel, A. M., & Maughan-Brown, B. (2007). HIV Risk Perceptions and First Sexual Intercourse among Youth in Cape Town, South Africa. International Family Planning Perspectives, 98-105. [2] Biswas, M. M. (2004). Gender Differences in Knowledge, Attitudes and Prevention of HIV/AIDS/STI among Youth in West Bengal, India. In The 132nd Annual Meeting. [3] Godinho, J., Jaganjac, N., Eckertz, D., Renton, A., & Novotny, Th. (2005). HIV/AIDS in the Western Balkans Priorities for Early Prevention in a High-Risk Environment. Washington DC: The World Bank.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/0-8213-6394-8 [4] Kosovar AIDS Committee (2004-2008). Kosovar Strategy for HIV/AIDS Prevention 2004-2008. Prishtine: Kosovar AIDS Committee. [5] Kosovo Ministry of Health (2001). Knowledge of School Youth on AIDS. Prishtine: Office for HIV/AIDS. [6] Leili, S., Elham, S., & Farkhondeh, S. (2008). A Population-Based Survey of HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes in General Public, Bandar-Abbas, Iran. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 24, 838-844. [7] National Institute of Public Health (2001). Knowledge, Attitude and Habits of Youngsters to Sexual and Reproductive Health. Prishtine: National Institute of Public Health. [8] Neupane, S., Nichols, D., & Thapa, S. (2003). Knowledge and Beliefs about HIV/AIDS among Young People in Urban Nepal. Asia Pacific Population Journal, 18, 39-52. [9] Rahman, M. (2009). Determinants of Knowledge and Awareness about AIDS: Urban-Rural Differentials in Bangladesh. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, 1, 014-021. [10] Serlo, K. L. (1999). Attitudes of University Students towards HIV/AIDS. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 29, 463-470.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1999.00909.x [11] United Nations Kosovo Team (2008). Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Behavior of Young People in Kosovo on HIV/ AIDS. Prishtine: United Nations Kosovo Team.