Knowledge about AIDS and follow-up compliance in patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

Abstract

In a survey of 300 consecutive new attenders at the Porgera Health Centre Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic information was obtained regarding knowledge about AIDS from male and female attenders. The differences between the sexes regarding a variety of socioeconomic variables, knowledge about AIDS and their compliance to follow-up appointments were studied as well as possible relationships between these social variables and the degrees of AIDS knowledge and compliance. Males tended to originate from further afield, be more educated, be either in salaried employment or not working at all, and be single as compared to females. They also admitted to more extramarital sexual contacts and received more adequate treatment. Knowledge about AIDS was also significantly higher amongst male attenders and in this group was correlated strongly with overall educational attainment and employment status but did not show any relationship with the number of extramarital contacts admitted to. Only 9% of the patients knew about condoms and their role in prevention. Follow-up compliance was generally poor, and not significantly higher in those with higher scores of knowledge about AIDS, but showed a relationship with the type of disease being treated and with the ultimate adequacy of treatment received.

PIP: Gender differences in knowledge about AIDS and compliance with follow-up appointments were investigated in 300 consecutive new patients (176 men and 124 women) at the Porgera Health Center Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic in the highlands of Papua New Guinea in 1992-93. The most common STDs diagnosed among men and women, respectively, were: gonorrhea (28% and 12%), donovanosis (30% and 24%), and nongonorrheal urethritis/pelvic inflammatory disease (20% and 56%). Compared to females, men tended to be from outside the district, have some formal education, be either unemployed or in a salaried position, and be single. 60% of male clients, compared with 10% of female clients, reported an extramarital sexual contact in the previous 3 months. 46% of male and 68% of female STD patients had either never heard of AIDS or knew the name only. Knowledge about AIDS was significantly higher among males and was associated with overall educational attainment and employment status. Only 9% of patients (14% of men and 1% of women) were aware of condoms and their role in STD prevention. Of the 230 clients scheduled for follow up, only 19% of males and 35% of females were fully compliant. Follow-up compliance was not associated with AIDS knowledge scores, but was related to the type of disease being treated and inadequate treatment. These findings suggest an urgent need for AIDS education and promotion of condom use (despite opposition from some Christian groups) in this area.