What is the accurate knowledge of the German population regarding sexual HIV transmission?
OBJECTIVE
HIV incidence in Germany is increasing even though the German Federal Centre for Health Education reported that the entire German population (99 %) has sufficient knowledge of sexual HIV transmission. We tried to find out the reason for this discrepancy.


METHODS
HIV transmission knowledge was investigated in a Munich population (n = 317) and the findings compared with a nationwide study.


RESULTS
No differences in knowledge regarding needle sharing and HIV/AIDS curability were found but, in relation to sexual HIV transmission, only 55.5 % of Munich respondents had sufficient knowledge of vaginal, anal and oral transmission routes.


CONCLUSIONS
The knowledge level reported in the nationwide study is overestimated as a result of the ambiguous character of the questions used.
AIDS Psychosocial Division Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Frauenlobstr. 9-11, 80337, Munich, Germany. laura.kouznetsov@med.uni-muenchen.de
Laura
L
Kouznetsov
Stefan A
SA
Zippel
Alexander V
AV
Kuznetsov
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017280:Condoms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult