Keywords
testing and questionnaire
safe sex
injecting drug use
stigma
discrimination
How to Cite
Abstract
In press
Background. HIV infection remains one of the most serious medical and social problems of our time, despite significant progress in treatment and prevention. In Ukraine, the epidemic has specific features, including a close link with injecting drug use, and the war creates additional challenges: population displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and limited access to testing. The educational environment is optimal for forming safe behavior among young people, but issues of students' awareness of HIV transmission routes, risks, and prevention remain insufficiently studied.
Aim. To assess the knowledge of adult non-medical students of higher education institutions in Kharkiv about risk factors for HIV infection, testing opportunities, treatment, causes and consequences of stigma and discrimination against HIV-infected people.
Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using data from two independent samples of students (n=405). Group 1 (face-to-face training, 2004–2007) comprised 226 students; Group 2 (distance learning, 2019–2022) – 179 students. A standardized questionnaire-test consisting of two blocks (knowledge and behavioral models) was used to assess awareness. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 (IBM, USA); χ² test and Pearson's correlation coefficient (φ) were applied. The study was carried out as a private initiative of the authors, without grant support or state registration of the topic.
Research Ethics. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (1964–2024) and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Kharkiv Regional Institute of Public Health (Protocol No.1 of January 14, 2004, and Protocol No.1 of January 17, 2019). All participants provided written informed consent to participate in the study.
Results. The level of awareness about HIV transmission routes increased from 30.5% in 2004–2007 to 43.2% in 2019–2022 (p<0.001). Increases were observed for risks of injecting drug use (from 31.9% to 44.7%), unprotected sex (from 32.7% to 44.1%), the need for testing (from 30.1% to 39.7%), and testing availability (from 30.1% to 40.2%). At the same time, awareness of treatment decreased from 29.6% to 20.1%, and awareness of the absence of a vaccine from 39.4% to 29.6% (p<0.05). Condom use increased from 29.6% to 59.8% (p<0.001); unprotected sex decreased from 22.1% to 16.2% (p<0.05). The proportion of students who knew their HIV status decreased from 20.4% to 13.4% (p<0.05). Injecting drug use increased from 2.2% to 3.9% (p<0.05). Awareness of stigma increased from 24.8% to 37.4% (p<0.001); cases of participation in stigmatization decreased from 0.9% to 0.6%. Face-to-face training proved more effective for knowledge formation than distance learning.
Conclusions. Despite positive changes in awareness about HIV transmission routes and safe sex practices, the decline in awareness about treatment, absence of a vaccine, and knowledge of one's own HIV status are alarming signals. The obtained results indicate the need to strengthen targeted prevention measures among young people, especially in the context of war and distance learning.
Keywords: original research, testing and questionnaire, safe sex, injecting drug use, stigma, discrimination.
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