Knowledge on HIV-AIDS Among Married Women in Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City

As reported by the Department of Health, Cagayan de Oro City ranks second in the prevalence and incidence of the HIV cases in the Philippines. With the continued rise of HIV cases, the researcher was interested to know the level of knowledge regarding the disease among married women residing in Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City. The study revealed that in spite of the numerous educational campaigns and advertisements, the respondents manifested low level of knowledge (36.6%) about the nature of HIV-AIDS. Specifically, 43.3% of  the respondents  exhibited very low level of  knowledge in terms of causation/ etiology and signs and symptoms of  HIV-AIDS; 30% had  very low level of knowledge in prevention of HIV-AIDS; 53.3% had shown very low level of knowledge on   treatment of HIV-AIDS  while 73.3%  indicated very  low level of  knowledge in  HIV testing.  In terms of knowledge on transmission, the respondents manifested a fair level of knowledge (36.6%).  Consequently, it was found out that there is a significant relationship between occupation and level of knowledge on HIV- AIDS. The study therefore suggests that HIV-AIDS awareness campaigns in general must pay particular attention to specific issues on the prevention, treatment and testing of HIV-AIDS.

Keywords: Knowledge, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV- AIDS, Cagayan de Oro City