Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS] related knowledge and attitudes among male school students in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to assess male school students' knowledge about and attitude toward Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome [AIDS]. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted on third-grade intermediate and all three grades of secondary school male students in Alkhobar area, Saudi Arabia. A multistage stratified self-weighting sampling design was adopted. The data were collected from 819 students using a self-administered questionnaire, which included besides demographic basic information, questions on their knowledge about and attitude toward AIDS. Around half of the studied sample had good scores of knowledge regarding ways of transmission of AIDS. However, the majority had poor scores with respect to the general knowledge of AIDS and attitude towards it. The variables that were significantly and positively associated with high score in knowledge were class grade, Saudi nationality, and high secondary school level. On the other hand, only high secondary school level was positively associated, and significantly so, with high score for attitude. Conclusion and recommendations: This study demonstrates that the students had knowledge of methods of transmission of AIDS better than non-transmission. This may lead to fear from people with AIDS and subsequently stigmatization and discrimination. HIV/AIDS educational programs should provide appropriate scientific knowledge about how HIV is/is not transmitted and use the sources that may be appealing to adolescents