Knowledge and Attitude in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Students toward AIDS: A Cross- Sectional Study from West of Iran

Background: Young people are the major group at risk of acquiring Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) worldwide. It is one of the health problems in the world, in particular in developing countries. In this study, knowledge and attitude in Iranian students toward HIV and AIDS was assessed. Methods: This investigation was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Totally 509 students were selected from Hamadan University of Medical Sciences schools by sampling methods in 2014- 2015. To collect data, the demographic and the international AIDS questionnaire was used. Results: It was found that the means and standard deviation of knowledge score and attitude towards AIDS in general were 53.86±6 and 20.21±3.29, respectively. The results showed that no significant differences were seen between gender and level of knowledge (P=0.391) and attitude (P=0.104) about AIDS. The results of the Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference between faculty and students knowledge (P=0.012). Also, the findings illustrated that there was no significant relationship between faculty (P=0.147) and level of education (P=0.289) and their attitude to AIDS sufferers. Conclusion: The overall rate of knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among students in Hamadan University of Medical sciences was acceptable. It is proposed that information about AIDS/HIV issues included as part of the course content for all students. Young people are most at risk for HIV infection and proper training is essential to increase young people knowledge.