A study on existing knowledge about AIDS among Naval personnel.

In the present study 1123 Naval personnel posted in one of the Naval bases were interviewed to find out the existing level of knowledge regarding AIDS and its prevention. The personnel had reasonably fair idea about the disease, modes of transmission and its prevention. It was interesting to observe that personnel had information about heterosexual transmission of disease and it is relevant in our context as in India and other Asian countries, the main transmission is through heterosexual route. About 19.31% of sailors as compared to 2.44% of officers had misconception that the disease is curable. The role of refresher health education efforts for imparting factual up-to-date information to the Naval community has been brought out.