Study on the perceptions and practices related to the possibility of HIV transmission among higher education students in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas

Abstract

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) poses significant medical, social, and economic challenges, necessitating coordinated actions for its control. It is primarily transmitted through specific bodily fluids and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), affecting the immune system and predisposing individuals to opportunistic infections and cancers.A descriptive cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with university students in Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas to explore their perception of HIV transmission risk. A questionnaire based on the instrument by Bayés, Pastels, and Tuldrá (1995-1996) was used, administered through stratified random sampling to obtain a representative sample. Students exhibited varied perceptions regarding HIV transmission risk factors, highlighting gaps in knowledge and inadequate preventive methods. This situation underscores the need for effective educational and preventive interventions to enhance awareness and reduce infection rates. It is necessary to promote greater awareness of the risks of HIV and improve health education among university students. Strategies should be adapted to address perceptions and attitudes towards HIV, thereby contributing to a more informed and empathetic society towards this globally significant disease