Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge,attitudes and practices related
to STD and AIDS among youth living in slum and shanty communities in the city of
Colombo and to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program in changing these.A
wide disparity was identified between the knowledge on STD and AIDS.Attitudes towards
persons with STD/AIDS were more positive than attitudes towards diseases.Risk behaviors
were common among males.Injection drug use was very minimal.This study has
demonstrated that youth do acquire new knowledge and change attitudes and behavior when
exposed to a well planned,comphrensive educational intervention.This change may be
temporary in nature,however,it may be maintained by continuing reinforcement from time
to time.This aspect need to be researched further.
