HIV/AIDS knowledge amongst gypsies in Lahore and their preventive practices.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among gypsies in Lahore and their preventive practices. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Four gypsy settlements around Multan Road, Lahore were surveyed from July to August 2009. METHODOLOGY Two hundred and thirteen randomly selected gypsies, aged 15-50 years, were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire based on UNAIDS survey indicators. Socio-demographic information and knowledge about HIV/AIDS, its spread and preventive practices was asked. Scoring systems were devised to categorize the level of knowledge and preventive practices as satisfactory and unsatisfactory. Statistically significant difference between knowledge and preventive practices was calculated by Pearson's chi-square test using Epi Info. version 3.5.1. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 29.5 ± 6.5 years, including 60.2% males and 39.8% females. Aggregate score for the level of knowledge indicated that 17 (7.98%) of these gypsies had satisfactory knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its transmission, whereas 40 (18.77%) and 156 (73.23%) were classified as having unsatisfactory and poor knowledge respectively. However, there was a statistically significant difference (p=0.003) when this knowledge was compared with preventive practices. CONCLUSION Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among gypsies in Lahore was largely unsatisfactory. Improving knowledge about HIV/AIDS among gypsy community may result in positive behavioural change for disease prevention.