Knowledge, attitude and practice on high risk factors pertaining to HIV/AIDS in a rural community.

A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude and practice on high risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was carried out among rural males of Dembia district, north Gonder Administrative Zone in January 1993. A random sample of 89(92.8%) males were interviewed by six senior medical students. A total of 66(74.2%) people reported to have heard something about AIDS. Eighty (89.9%) males did not know anything about condoms. The most common sources of information on AIDS were close friends, health workers, school teachers and the radio. Favourable attitude was observed. Fifty-four (60.7%) were afraid of getting AIDS; 7.5% had practised extramarital sex in the past three months. Higher knowledge was not associated with high risk behaviour (p > 0.05). Higher knowledge and favourable attitude were strongly correlated, (r = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.76-0.89). Strengthening risk perception, condom promotion and larger or detailed studies were recommended.