Knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS of schoolteachers in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional interview study was made with 290 teachers in 10 high schools in Yazd city, Islamic Republic of Iran. More than 90% of the participants had previously received information about HIV and AIDS. Only 207 [71.4%] correctly answered all questions on methods of transmission of HIV/AIDS. Most knew about sexual contact [93.1%] and infected blood [92.1%] as methods of transmission. Some teachers [20.3%] thought that mosquitoes could transmit HIV/AIDS. Regarding attitudes toward HIV/AIDS, over 55% of the teachers agreed or strongly agreed that infected people should be quarantined, whereas 17% agreed or strongly agreed that AIDS is a specific disease of those with high-risk sexual behaviour. Married teachers held more positive attitudes toward HIV/AIDS than unmarried teachers