Issaev DD, Umirhanyan J; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12; 10: 383 (abstract no. PD0715).

Sexological Center, Bekhterev Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify knowledge, attitude and sexual behavior with respect to HIV infection in St.-Petersburg. METHODS: The first telephone survey on sexual and AIDS attitude and behavior in St. Petersburg conducted. A random sample of 435 persons aged 18-55 was interviewed (male mean age -35,4; female -37,3). RESULTS: 10-22% of the sample still think that one can get AIDS from tableware, clothes, cigarettes, hand-shaking. 37% of males and 35,4% females have indicated the danger of kissing; 40,9% and 39,3% respectively thought that mosquito can transmit HIV. 13,5% m & 14,5% f believed AIDS spread only among the groups of risk. Only 28,1% of males and 16.6% females answered that there was a change in their behavior after AIDS epidemic. 77% of males and 62% females felt that the condom was an efficient means of prevention. 12,2% and 1,9% reported consistent condom use, 18,7% and 14,4% used them often. Males: 11% of respondents had more than 50 female-partners during lifetime; 6% had homosexual contact; 16% had suffering from venereal diseases. The earlier a male had begun the sexual life the greater the number of partners he had and was more likely to report drug use. Group sex, anal sex, multiple sex partners, contacts with prostitutes and STD interrelated (p < 0.001). Sexual group activities closely connected with homosexual contacts and those during menses. STDs mostly significant associated with sex for money (r = .556). Younger men use condoms more frequently than older ones. Females: 6% had more than 20 partners; 15.2% had unprotected anal sex. Younger generation has begun sexual life at earlier age, demonstrated various sex techniques and more partners during last year. Multiple sex partners associated with group sex, contacts for money and venereal diseases. Women using drugs were more likely to have anal sex and group sex; STDs have correlated with prostitution. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. The results indicate the low level of knowledge, prejudice about condom use, the high level of risk behavior. It's necessary to carry out radical changes in prevention programs and to use mass media, develop education materials for target groups.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Attitude
• Behavior
• Condoms
• Data Collection
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Homosexuality
• Humans
• Knowledge
• Male
• Risk-Taking
• Safe Sex
• Sexual Behavior
• Sexual Partners
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• transmission

Other ID:

• 94372238

UI: 102211071

From Meeting Abstracts