Reports
Knowledge, Attitude, Beliefs, And Practice of The Lebanese Population Concerning AIDS
Author: Dr Abdo Jurjus & Dr Joseph Kahhaleh
Source: Ministry of Public Health - National Aids Program - WHO
Source: Ministry of Public Health - National Aids Program - WHO
EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF HIV PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, BELIEVES AND PRACTICE OF THE LEBANESE POPULATION CONCERNING AIDS
Joseph G. Kahhaleh, MD, MPH, Abdo R. Jurjus, PhD, Mustapha El Nakib MD, MPHSponsored by National Aids Program-Lebanon, in Collaboration with the World Health Organization-EMRO
ABSTRACT
This cross sectional study, performed between January 2004 and July 2004, was conducted on a national representative sample of 3200 of the Lebanese population age (15 – 49). Data showed that about 2/3 (n=2138) of the population reported as sexually active. 52% (n=1665) had ever married. Of the sexually active respondents (including the married population) 13.0% (n=278) reported having regular partners other than spouse and only 25.0% (n=259) of those who had regular partners used condoms in their last sexual intercourse. However, 16.8% (n=360) of the sexually active had sex with non-regular partners, 26.4% (n=95) of these partners were met for the first time and, 71.7% (n=258 out of 360) of them have used a condom in their casual sexual encounter.
The HIV/AIDS disease has influenced the lifestyles of only 24.1% (n=758 out of 3142) of the sample population. The perception of risk of catching HIV was low in this study: 13.7% as compared to 19.3% in 1996.
Most 59.6% (n=1872) of the population expressed positive attitudes towards the HIV/AIDS persons and were willing to take care of a family member with HIV/AIDS, 69.2% (n=2173) agreed that HIV/AIDS people to be allowed to continue their work, 74.1% (n=2329) wanted the proper medical treatment for the HIV/AIDS patients. On the other hand, 29.1% (n=914), compared to 13.6% in 1996 study, agreed to keep HIV positivity as a secret.
The knowledge of the population about preventive practices against HIV/AIDS has regressed since 1996 but its actual rate is still good compared to very good in 1996 study. In addition, the overall rates of misconceptions increased. Condoms were then more available in the country and more accessible. However, the rate of condom use is still the same and relatively low. The indicator on non-regular sexual partners was 16.9% in 1996 compared to 22.4% now coupled with more than 30% lack of condom use. The percentage of persons self-reporting symptoms suggestive of STD amounted to 9.1% (n=121), i.e. higher than 5% in 1996, this result needs to be confirmed by an STD prevalence study.
Finally, the perception of risk, attitudes and behaviors of people towards HIV/AIDS patients regressed from 1996; more work is needed to introduce positive changes in the lifestyle and adoption of safer sexual behavior.
Joseph G. Kahhaleh, MD, MPH, Abdo R. Jurjus, PhD, Mustapha El Nakib MD, MPHSponsored by National Aids Program-Lebanon, in Collaboration with the World Health Organization-EMRO
ABSTRACT
This cross sectional study, performed between January 2004 and July 2004, was conducted on a national representative sample of 3200 of the Lebanese population age (15 – 49). Data showed that about 2/3 (n=2138) of the population reported as sexually active. 52% (n=1665) had ever married. Of the sexually active respondents (including the married population) 13.0% (n=278) reported having regular partners other than spouse and only 25.0% (n=259) of those who had regular partners used condoms in their last sexual intercourse. However, 16.8% (n=360) of the sexually active had sex with non-regular partners, 26.4% (n=95) of these partners were met for the first time and, 71.7% (n=258 out of 360) of them have used a condom in their casual sexual encounter.
The HIV/AIDS disease has influenced the lifestyles of only 24.1% (n=758 out of 3142) of the sample population. The perception of risk of catching HIV was low in this study: 13.7% as compared to 19.3% in 1996.
Most 59.6% (n=1872) of the population expressed positive attitudes towards the HIV/AIDS persons and were willing to take care of a family member with HIV/AIDS, 69.2% (n=2173) agreed that HIV/AIDS people to be allowed to continue their work, 74.1% (n=2329) wanted the proper medical treatment for the HIV/AIDS patients. On the other hand, 29.1% (n=914), compared to 13.6% in 1996 study, agreed to keep HIV positivity as a secret.
The knowledge of the population about preventive practices against HIV/AIDS has regressed since 1996 but its actual rate is still good compared to very good in 1996 study. In addition, the overall rates of misconceptions increased. Condoms were then more available in the country and more accessible. However, the rate of condom use is still the same and relatively low. The indicator on non-regular sexual partners was 16.9% in 1996 compared to 22.4% now coupled with more than 30% lack of condom use. The percentage of persons self-reporting symptoms suggestive of STD amounted to 9.1% (n=121), i.e. higher than 5% in 1996, this result needs to be confirmed by an STD prevalence study.
Finally, the perception of risk, attitudes and behaviors of people towards HIV/AIDS patients regressed from 1996; more work is needed to introduce positive changes in the lifestyle and adoption of safer sexual behavior.
Download the new version of the MOPH app
for the latest updates on Coronavirus.
The new version of the MOPH APP will provide you with all the reliable information on COVID-19 with ongoing update of the confirmed cases and data. If you are showing any symptoms, the “Symptoms Checker” will be your self-help guide to assess them.
