Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices in Lebanon concerning HIV/AIDS, 1996–2004

This cross-sectional study, aimed at evaluating the impact of HIV prevention interventionsin Lebanon since 1996, was performed between January 2004 and July 2004 on 3200 Lebanese aged15–49 years. Of the sexually active respondents, 13.0% of men and 2.6% of women had regular partnersother than the spouse but only 25.0% used a condom in their last sexual intercourse. However,16.8% had sex with casual partners and 71.7% of those used a condom. Knowledge about preventivepractices against HIV/AIDS has regressed since 1996, 85.7% compared to 94.9%. Self reports of symptomssuggestive of sexually transmitted disease were 9.1% compared to 5.6% in 1996.Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs andpractices in Lebanon concerningHIV/AIDS, 1996–2004J.G. Kahhaleh,1 M. El Nakib2 and A.R. Jurjus11Lebanese Health Society, Beirut, Lebanon (Correspondence to A.R. Jurjus: aj00@aub.edu.lb).2National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health, Beirut, Lebanon.Received: 19/03/06; accepted: 17/09/06Connaissances, attitudes, croyances et pratiques au Liban à propos du VIH/sida de 1996 à2004