The knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among post-secondary students in a southern Ethiopian city

Abstract

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to claim millions of lives worldwide. Africa alone represents the majority of HIV/AIDS cases, where the young aged 16-30, are at greatest risk. In Ethiopia, the research suggests that knowledge of HIV transmission and positive attitudes among post-secondary students are decreasing. The purpose of this research is to explore the knowledge and attitudes of HIV/AIDS among post-secondary students in a southern Ethiopian city.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 college and university students. The AIDS Attitude Scale and the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire were used to measure participants’ knowledge and attitudes on HIV/AIDS. Descriptive statistics, t-test, correlation and regression analysis were used for analysis.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> The results from the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire revealed lower knowledge on the various sexual modes of HIV transmission. The t-test demonstrated no difference between male and female HIV knowledge scores (t=0.6, df =225, p=0.4). The correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between HIV knowledge scores and avoidant AIDS attitude scores (r=-0.2, p<0.01). The linear regression demonstrated for every one unit increase of AAS avoidant scores, HIV knowledge scores decreased 0.7 units (p<0.01); suggesting that students who scored higher in negative attitudes, achieved lower scores on HIV knowledge levels.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The study findings demonstrate the call to address this knowledge gap among a known population vulnerable to risky sexual behavior. Future research is needed such that HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns can be specifically tailored to the student population within the Ethiopian context.<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p>