Characteristics of Households - Childinfo.org

XII HIV/AIDS ANDSEXUAL BEHAVIOURKnowledge about HIV Transmissionand Misconceptions about HIV/AIDSTwo of the most important prerequisites for reducingthe rate of HIV infection are accurate knowledge ofhow HIV is transmitted and strategies for preventingtransmission. Correct information is the first step towardraising awareness and giving young people the toolsto protect themselves from infection. Misconceptionsabout HIV are common and can confuse young peopleand hinder prevention efforts. Different regions are likelyto have variations in misconceptions although someappear to be universal (for example that sharing foodor mosquito bites can transmit HIV). The UN GeneralAssembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS)called on governments to improve the knowledge andskills of young people to protect themselves from HIV.The indicators to measure this goal as well as the MDGof reducing HIV infections by half include improvingthe level of knowledge of HIV and its prevention, andchanging behaviours to prevent further spread of thedisease. The HIV module was administered to womenbetween 15–49 and men between 15–29 years of age.Table HA.1: Knowledge about HIV transmission,misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, and comprehensiveknowledge about HIV transmission, Serbia, 2010Percentage of women age 15–49 years who know the main ways ofpreventing HIV transmission, percentage who know that a healthylooking person can have the AIDS virus, percentage who rejectcommon misconceptions, and percentage who have comprehensiveknowledge about HIV transmissionPercentagewho haveheard ofAIDSPercentage who know transmissioncan be prevented by:Having only onefaithful uninfectedsex partnerUsing a condomevery timeRegionBelgrade 99.4 91.1 94.0Vojvodina 98.7 87.1 90.6Sumadija andWestern Serbia98.6 82.6 88.2Southern andEastern Serbia99.3 92.1 90.2AreaUrban 99.4 90.7 94.3Rural 98.3 83.9 85.2Age15–24 99.1 87.2 92.125–29 99.2 90.8 92.615–29 99.2 88.5 92.330–39 98.7 88.9 92.240–49 98.9 86.0 86.5Marital statusEver married/in union98.7 86.5 89.0Never married/in union99.5 91.1 94.1Women’s educationPrimary 95.8 71.4 68.6Secondary 99.6 89.0 92.6Higher 100.0 94.6 97.8Wealth index quintilesPoorest 95.3 74.0 71.1Second 99.1 87.1 90.2Middle 99.6 88.4 91.6Fourth 99.7 91.7 95.4Richest 99.8 92.8 96.8Total 99.0 87.9 90.51MICS indicator 9.1190MULTIPLE INDICATOR CLUSTER SURVEY 2010