Knowledge and Attitude of Students of the Azad University of Saveh about AIDS

Background and Objective : Young people are the major group at risk of acquiring AIDS worldwide. It is one of the health problems in the world and in the developing countries in particular. We aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of students of the Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, about HIV/AIDS.   Materials and methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۶۶۶ students selected by cluster random sampling in ۲۰۰۹-۲۰۱۰. Instrument was a research-made questionnaire including three parts: demographic, knowledge and attitude toward AIDS. Data were analyzed by Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact Test using SPSS -۱۵.   Results : Most of the subjects (۴۸.۹%) are in ۲۰-۲۵ age bracket and ۵۴.۴% are females. The knowledge of ۱۴.۹% is good and ۶۸.۸% moderate ۶۳.۱% of them have negative attitude. Most students (۸۰.۶%) indicate that they have been informed about AIDS via mass-media (TV, radio) and ۵۴.۴% have not had any contact with AIDS. There is significant relation between knowledge level and sex and information sources (P<۰.۰۰۱) attitude level and sex, and also knowledge and attitude level (P<۰.۰۰۱).   Conclusion : Overall, the majority have not adequate knowledge and positive attitude of basic HIV/AIDS. Since mass-media have the most effect on AIDS, paying attention to quantity and quality of programs and any other sources is an educational necessity.