HIV infection remains a major global public health challenge, requiring integrated strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Despite therapeutic advances such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP), a knowledge deficit persists, particularly regarding these preventive modalities, contributing to ongoing stigma and serophobia. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of the population of Fortaleza/CE about HIV, transmission, treatment, associated social stigmas, and preventive measures such as PrEP and PEP, before and after a health education action. Prospective, analytical intervention study conducted between December 2023 and September 2024 in four institutions in Fortaleza/CE. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires with 15 objective questions were applied, covering transmission, symptoms, stigma, prevention, and HIV treatment. Fifty individuals participated in the pre-test and 39 in the post-test. Good knowledge was defined as a correct answer rate ≥80%. Data were analyzed using frequency measures. Most participants were male (52%), heterosexual (74%), and had medium or higher educational level (70%). Baseline knowledge was satisfactory for transmission (92%) and treatment (90%), but insufficient for differentiating HIV from AIDS (64%) and, especially, for knowledge about PrEP and PEP (27%). After the intervention, performance improved significantly, with an average 18% increase in correct answers; the most notable gain was in PrEP and PEP knowledge (84%, 66%, and 56% in specific questions). However, some misconceptions related to social stigma, such as perceptions about infection in older adults and fidelity as an absolute form of prevention, persisted with only a small reduction in correct responses. The educational intervention was effective in increasing knowledge about HIV, especially in the most deficient areas such as PrEP and PEP. However, the data indicate the need for continuous educational actions, adapted to local realities and focused on stigma reduction. Strengthening health education is essential to achieve the global epidemic control targets established by UNAIDS.
Salles et al. (Sun,) studied this question.