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

Abstract

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