title: Knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV/AIDS and prevalence of HIV in the general population of Sucre, Bolivia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To analyse knowledge, attitudes and sexual practices on HIV/AIDS, and estimate HIV prevalence among residents of Sucre (Bolivia).
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based survey of residents aged 15-49 randomly selected during 2008/2009. Blood samples were collected on Whatman-filter paper and tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Knowledge on HIV/AIDS, sexual risk practices and discriminatory attitudes against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) were modelled with multiple logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1499 subjects, 59% were women. All subjects were HIV-negative. Inadequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention was observed in 67% and risk factors varied by gender (interaction p-value<0.05). Discriminatory attitudes were displayed by 85% subjects; associated factors were: rural residence, low educational level and low income. Unsafe sex was reported by 10%; risk factors varied by residence area (interaction p-value<0.05). In urban areas, risk factors were male sex, younger age and being in common-law union.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of HIV infection is very low and unsafe sex is relatively uncommon. Inadequate knowledge on HIV/AIDS and discriminatory attitudes towards PLWHA are extremely high and are associated to gender, ethnic and economic inequalities.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, San Francisco Xavier of Chuquisaca University, Sucre, Bolivia; Health Area, Simon Bolivar Andean University, Sucre, Bolivia. Electronic address: carolina.teran@gmx.net.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Terán Calderón
authors.affiliation: Health Area, Simon Bolivar Andean University, Sucre, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Dorian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gorena Urizar
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González Blázquez
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alejos Ferreras
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Oriana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ramírez Rubio
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bolumar Montrull
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Microbiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ortiz Rivera
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: del Amo Valero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001838:Bolivia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attitude towards PLWHA; HIV prevalence; Knowledge on HIV/AIDS; Sexual practices on HIV