Knowledge and attitude survey of high school students of Yazd province of Iran about HIV/AIDS

Background: The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is in its third decade
and presently no single disease has attracted as much attention in the international community as
AIDS. This Cross-Sectional study carried out in order to determine and evaluate the knowledge
and attitude of high school students about AIDS in Yazd province at 2005.
Methods and Materials: 2146 high school students in different grades from four cities of Yazd
province were selected through cluster sampling and evaluated by Self-Administered
questionnaires.
Results: Although most of the students had an accurate knowledge about modes of HIV/AIDS
transmission, but there were significant misconceptions about the disease and modes of HIV/AIDS
transmission, but totally, the majority of students (35.2%) had a good knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
Most of the student (36.3%) had a positive attitude; however, regarding the proportion of 32.4%,
negative attitude towards HIV/AIDS was common also. The knowledge and attitude regarding the
academic grade of students was significantly different (p<0.001). Additionally, attitude of girls was
significantly more positive than boys (p<0.001). Radio and Television (63.9%) were the main
sources of information and 21.2% of student named Internet as one of information sources. The
Majority of students (56.1%) spoke with their friends about HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be recommended that schools have to be regarded as
one of the main foci of activities in the strategies of AIDS risk reduction, and education of high
school students (as one of the most important risk groups) about all aspects of HIV/AIDS, have to
be seriously considered by the education policy makers.