title: Short risk behaviour knowledge index for HIV average risk population of sexual active age in Munich, Germany.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A short HIV/AIDS risk behaviour knowledge index based on questions about HIV transmission and prevention of HIV infection during sexual intercourse and intravenous drug use is proposed and implemented for an HIV average risk population in Munich.
  
  
  METHODS
  Knowledge levels about HIV/AIDS risk behaviour was assessed in a group of people (n = 210) in sexually active age range of 18-49 years which was at an average risk of contracting HIV. Four questions about HIV transmission by unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sexual intercourse, and by needle sharing, and two questions about HIV prevention by condom use, and the single use of needles and syringes were chosen from ten others for making a four level risk behaviour knowledge index (HIV/AIDS Transmission through Sex and Intravenous Drug Use, HATSIDU) internally consistent according to Cronbach's alpha.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HATSIDU index (mean 3.0, SD +/- 1.18) was not associated (p>0.05) with sex and marital status, but depended (p < 0.05) on age, education and social status. General population of Munich in a sexually active age group of 40-49 years, or those without further education or the unemployed, had a significantly lower knowledge of HIV risk behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HATSIDU is a simple and usable index for the assessment of HIV/AIDS risk behaviour knowledge in a population with an average risk of HIV infection.
authors: HIV/STI Prevention Research Group, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany. Alexander.kuznetsov@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors: Alexander V
authors: AV
authors: Kuznetsov
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Wiseman
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Ruzicka
authors: Stefan A
authors: SA
authors: Zippel
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Kuznetsov
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012923:Social Class; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult