AIDS quiz contest held for students

Mumbai, Dec 21 (UNI) In an attempt to spread awareness about the deadly virus of HIV among students between 13-16 years of age, Metropolis Health Services, a corporatised diagnostic centers chain, held an on-spot AIDS quiz contest at Oxford Book Store here today.

There was also an essay and poster drawing contest on the subject. The prizes for the quiz contest was bagged by Lady Engineering High School, Salvation School and Anthony D'Silva School.

Most students although aware of the basic information on AIDS like mode of transmission, use of condoms as effective method of prevention, were unaware of nuances like why oral contraceptive is not a substitute for condoms, why a mosquito cannot transmit AIDS, or how early can one know if he or she has contracted the virus after being infected.

Strikingly, even most adult audiences present, were caught unaware when some essential questions on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) were thrown across them, stressing the need for a comprehensive, effective communication campaign to spread awareness of the virus across age groups.

Speaking to reporters, quiz master, Metropolis Health Services Associate Chief Pathologist Dr Nisha Ahmed said, ''We strongly believe in the propagation of AIDS awareness across all demographics of society especially so with youth since they are more impressionable and need to be educated about making the right choices.'' UNI