HIV Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Among University Students

Abstract

Young people aged between 13 to 29 were contributed to the total of 34% of the cumulative infection Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and perception among students in the University. Research design is cross-sectional. Questionnaire were distributed to 372 respondents. Therefore, 52.4 percent students had a good knowledge. There was positive weak correlation between KA (r =0.23) and KP (r=0.19) with significance (p<0.05). Conclusion, increase in the level of knowledge were contribute to the positive attitude and perception also reduce the stigma and discrimination toward people living with HIV/AIDS.

Knowledge, attitude and stigma towards HIV patients: a survey among medical students in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…A lack of knowledge can create a negative impact on PLWH and encourage stigmatization and discrimination [7]. In a study in Malaysia, a majority of the students showed a positive attitude towards PLWH, as shown by the results in our study [13]. A study conducted in Croatia, indicated negative attitude towards HIV patients [10].…”

“…However, majority of the students involved in the study in India were aware that HIV couldn't be spread through a mosquito bite [18]. At the University in Malaysia, 50.5% of the students believe that healthy people at first glance could be infected with HIV [13]. Moreover, in our survey all students thought that people with HIV can be asymptomatic.…”

“…A study conducted at the University of Xinjiang showed that 74.5% students answered correctly on questions relating to HIV/AIDS transmissions [4]. A study conducted in Israel showed similar results, where 80% of the students answered correctly, as well as a study in Malaysia, and a study in Croatia [10,12,13]. In contrary, there are some studies where students had an average understanding of HIV infection [14,15].…”

“…In contrary, there are some studies where students had an average understanding of HIV infection [14,15]. Interestingly, a study conducted in Malaysia showed that a large number of students weren't sure whether HIV could be transmitted by mosquitoes, 43.8% of them gave a false answer [13]. Maimati et al reported that 59.5% of students thought that HIV could be transmitted by mosquitoes [4].…”

“…However, the opposite was noted in Israel, where only 36.6% of students knew breastfeeding could spread HIV [12]. A Malaysian study showed that 52.4% of their participants were well informed about HIV [13]. Maimati's research shows that 75% of participants were well informed [4].…”