Table 3

Specific HIV knowledge among injection drug users in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Question Topic
Correct Knowledge %, (n)
OR, 95% CI

HIV infectious forever (n = 196):
1.47, 1.00 – 2.15
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
37, 38.9%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
31, 46.3%

Left During Russian Occupation
20, 58.8%

HIV can not be detected just by looking at a person (n = 196):
1.20, 0.82 – 1.75
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
38, 40.0%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
28, 41.8%

Left During Russian Occupation
17, 50.0%

Medicines cannot cure HIV (n = 196):

0.84, 0.56 – 1.27
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
33, 34.7%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
18, 26.9%

Left During Russian Occupation
10, 29.4%

Used needles transmit HIV (n = 196):

0.92, 0.59 – 1.43
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
77, 81.1%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
47, 70.1%

Left During Russian Occupation
28, 82.4%

HIV transmitted by donated blood (n = 196):
1.44, 0.98 – 2.11
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
34, 36.2%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
27, 40.3%

Left During Russian Occupation
19, 55.9%

HIV not transmitted by mosquito bites (n = 196):
0.65, 0.44 – 0.95
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
60, 63.8%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
29, 43.3%

Left During Russian Occupation
16, 47.1%

HIV not transmitted by lack of hygiene (n = 196):
0.46, 0.31 – 0.69
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
63, 67.7%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
27, 40.3%

Left During Russian Occupation
12, 35.3%

HIV transmitted sexually (n = 196):
0.84, 0.54 – 1.31
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
77, 81.1%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
50, 74.6%

Left During Russian Occupation
26, 76.5%

HIV not transmitted by hugging/kissing (n = 196):
0.57, 0.38 – 0.84
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
64, 68.8%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
33, 49.3%

Left During Russian Occupation
15, 44.1%

Condoms reduce risk of sexual transmission of HIV (n = 196):
0.84, 0.57 – 1.23
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
62, 65.3%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
38, 56.7%

Left During Russian Occupation
20, 58.8%

Using a new needle with each injection reduces HIV risk (n = 196):
1.58, 1.08 – 2.31
Left During Taliban/U.S. Invasion
37, 38.9%

Left During Najibullah/Mujaheddin
33, 49.3%

Left During Russian Occupation
21, 61.8%


Todd et al. Conflict and Health 2007 1:5   doi:10.1186/1752-1505-1-5

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