Objectives

• To assess the perception about HIV and AIDS among the high school students studying in various schools located in North Kolkata.
• To assess the difference in the perception about HIV and AIDS between boys and girls.
• To assess the difference in the perception about HIV and AIDS among the students belonging to various economic classes.

India Scenario

• In India first case of HIV infection was recorded in 1986
• Presently there is an explosion in HIV transmission
• The dreaded disease, AIDS, has now firmly anchored itself in India
  

Protocol

• Place : North Kolkata
• Schools : Six (randomly selected)
• Subjects: Boys and Girls of class 8 & 9
• Economic classes :

High : > Rs. 10,000 p.m.
Middle : Rs. 5,000 – 10,000 p.m.
Low : < Rs. 5,000 p.m.

• Assessment of perception: (Through structured questionnaire)
  HIV / AIDS
  Health and Hygiene
  

Conclusions

• Knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS is very poor among the high school students at North Kolkata.
• It is essential to emphasize the need for HIV/AIDS related education for the high school students, as well as to develop new and more effective intervention strategies, which are to be implemented in schools.