Findings from a recent survey to determine the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviours and sexual practices (KABP) of individuals living in Barbados will be made public next Wednesday, September 30.

Led by the National HIV/AIDS Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the survey examined attitudes, beliefs and sexual practices that expose persons living in Barbados between the ages of 15 and 49 to risks associated with acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

This included investigation into knowledge of HIV/STIs; sexual behaviours that exposed these persons to HIV/STIs; and their risk reduction practices and health-seeking behaviours.

The pre-tested survey was interviewer-administered and included questions on sexual history; use of and access to condoms; STI symptoms and treatment; and HIV knowledge and testing.

What emerged were interesting findings about persons living in Barbados which related to the Socio-Demographic Profile, sexual history, condom use, testing and other HIV-related knowledge, opinions and attitudes. This information will inform policies, programmes and projects in the national HIV response.

Director of the Commission, Jacqueline Wiltshire Gay, said that the value of research data could not be understated. ???It is essential to the development of relevant policies, programmes and interventions, and direct allocation of scarce resources to the areas of greatest need and impact,??? she added.

Due to the sensitive nature of the study, several measures were instituted to safeguard respondent confidentiality. These included non-recording of personal identifiers; obtaining informed consent and assent from respondents; and extensive training of the interview team in research ethics.

Author: National HIV/AIDS Commission

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