Evaluation of awareness levels among population of Zabaikalsky krai for planning prophylactic measures to control HIV-infection and viral hepatitis spread (pilot study)

Introduction. Currently, much attention is being paid to studying the level of knowledge of the country's population and improving health literacy in relation to HIV infection and parenteral viral hepatitis. With insufficient awareness of society about various aspects of social infectious diseases, morbidity increases, stigmatization of people living with HIV worsens, mortality increases and a tense situation in society is created. The purpose of the study: to evaluate levels of awareness among population of the Zabailalsky krai of the Far Eastern Federal district in order to plan priority direction of HIV-infection an viral hepatitis preventive measures. Materials and methods. To implement the goals and objectives of the research an analysis of population awareness levels about the issues of HIV and viral hepatitis was conducted after outreach event was performed. The questionnaire included 12 questions with a number of answers from 3 to 7 aimed at revealing awareness concerning the issues of HIV-infection and viral hepatitis. A total number of 312 people were examined. The research included sociological (questionnaire), statistical and comparative analysis. Results. Results of the pilot study revealed a satisfactory level of population awareness on main questions concerning risks of obtaining infection and preventive measures against the diseases. However, answers on some of the questions indicated a need of additional attention during development/adjusting and implementation of different preventive measures and educational programs. Youth mean age of whom equaled 15.6 years exhibited sympathetic behavior towards HIV-infected persons more frequently compared to adult population. Not quite satisfactory levels of awareness concerning ability of HIV-infected people to create family and have children was detected among adult population (mean age – 49.0 years). Some of surveyed people expressed a will to be tested for HIV. A total number of 90.5% of examined youth wanted to be tested but no one had a chance to do it because no one offered it. Conclusion. Taking in to account the obtained data for further development and implementation of prevention programs it is necessary to pay more attention to protection measures against HIV and hepatitis, emphasize attention on legal aspects of HIV and viral hepatitis issue as well as a necessity of regular testing to control HIV-status. Prevention work should include game-based learning to develop refusal skills to avoid risky behavior by playing out typical situations. It is necessary to continue the study and expand the number of respondents from different key groups and conduct a comparative analysis of awareness levels before and after the outreach events in order to evaluate their efficiency.