HIV/AIDS knowledge behaviour and atitudes of university studentsand youths: Evaluation of HIV/AIDS peer education programmes in Turkey and in Armenia

Today, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS is stil increasing. Half of the HIV infected eople are in the age group 15-24 in Turkey and in Armenia. The increasing number of HIV/AIDS transmission in both country led to oranizations working on HI V/AIDS and health education area to organize peer education sessions on this subject. This cross sectional study aims to evaluate two peer education programmes among the youth and university students in Turkey and in Armenia.

Face to face survey was conducted among 351 university studnts in Ankara, Turkey and youth in general popluation in Armenia with conventional sampling methodology. Students who took part in the survey contained of those who participated in peer education programme and those who have not participated to introduce the effectiveness of the peer education programmes.  The participants were assessed in terms of their knowledge on prevention from HIV/AIDS, and their risk behaviours related to HIV/AIDS. 

Participnts from both countries have similar knowledge, perception and risk behaviours. In both countries, the level of knowledge on the HIV, its ways of transmission and prevention methods are rather low. Almost half of the participants have reported that they were sexually active. The condom usage in all groups was fund very low in both countries. In both countries peer educated groups findings were found slightly more significant compared with the non educated groups. The results show the usefulness and effectiveness of the peer education programmes