title: Perceptions of people living with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV/AIDS being a behavioral disease, appropriate knowledge is important for those who are infected.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elicit and compare knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients attending or admitted in Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, (CSTM), Kolkata.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken among previously diagnosed HIV/AIDS Patients admitted in indoor wards and newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients attending Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) of the School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata. Data were gathered by interviewing patients using a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More in-patients had heard about AIDS than ICTC patients. Television was the most popular source of information in both groups, followed by health personnel and friends. Correct knowledge about transmission, symptoms, prevention of AIDS, and lifestyles desirable for affected patients was significantly higher among in-patients who had already been counseled, than the newly diagnosed ICTC patients yet to receive. Within each group of patients, the knowledge score was significantly higher among females, Christians, urban residents, patients educated beyond middle school, and non- migrants. In-patients had a significantly higher attitudinal score toward HIV/AIDS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repeated counseling is required to keep up high level of knowledge and positive attitude pertaining to HIV/AIDS to reduce risk behavior, prevent disease transmission, and improve quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Pranita
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taraphdar
authors.forename: Tapobrata Guha
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Dibakar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haldar
authors.forename: Aparajita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.forename: Bibhuti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saha
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010465:Perception; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking