Knowledge and attitude toward AIDS/HIV among senior school students in Isfahan

Background: Considering the increasing spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the Middle East, informing about how it can be transmitted and prevented is the primary weapon against its spread. Determining the public information regarding HIV/AIDS and their attitude toward people with AIDS/HIV can provide basis for appropriate educational program in each community. So, we investigated knowledge and attitude toward AIDS/HIV among senior school students in Isfahan, Iran. Patients and methods: A cross sectional survey among randomly selected high school students in Isfahan city was conducted. The students responded to an anonymous self administered questionnaire after orally consenting to participate in the study. Knowledge and attitude were scored. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data by SPSS package. Results: The total knowledge level of 60.2% of students was good, of 34.1% of them was moderate and 5.7% of subjects had poor knowledge levels, and total knowledge level was not significantly different among girls and boys. In the present study there were negative attitudes towards AIDS and HIV positive persons. In 68.6% of students the attitude was moderate, in 23.3% the attitude was good and in 8.1% of students the attitude was poor. Journal and books were the main information sources in girls and in boys the main information source was TV. Conclusion: Most respondents knew the main mode of transmission of HIV infection. Thus, while mass media approaches could be the most likely strategy for future educational efforts, education intervention in schools programs involving teachers and school consultants can be tailored appropriately to the special needs of students, so as to maximize their effectiveness.