AIDS Knowledge Among High School Students in a District of South India

India is the 2^nd largest HIV/AIDS infected country in the world. According to report, 35% of AIDS cases reported are below 25 years of age and 50% of new infections are between 14 to 24 years old. This is mainly due to insufficient knowledge about HIV/AIDS among the children and youths. In order to assess the knowledge about the HIV/AIDS, this study was conducted. This study was conducted in 3872 students of five high schools in a district of South India to analyze the degree of knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention, transmission, sign and symptoms. Structured, multiple choice questionnaire was used for analyze the same. Among 3872, 59% were boys and 41% were girls. All were in the age group of 14-18years. Regarding prevention, 88% of boys and 64% of girls referred condom is the only way of prevention, 75% of both girls and boys inform that have to wash their genital after sexual relation. Regarding transmission, all students inform that sexual intercourse is the main way and 63% informed that it also transmitted through unsafe blood transfusion. Nearly 73% of boy and 42% of girls did not aware about the sign and symptoms of HIV/AIDS. 38% of boys and 55% of girls known the testing method against HIV/AIDS(ELISA).  37% students believed AIDS is a communicable disease and 18% informed it can’t be preventable, 15% students affirmed AIDS is curable. Only 5% of students were aware about the exact mechanism of HIV/AIDS infection, and no students aware about the future co-infection of the disease. By this study we conclude that, both girls and boys did not aware fully about HIV/AIDS. Hence AIDS education with out hindering the information should be require in school syllabus to improve the quality of living against AIDS