Positive attitudes towards persons living with HIV in North Kosovo: The university students' perspective

Abstract

HIV‐related stigma could delay the identification and treatment of persons living with HIV (PLHIV), particularly in regions affected by ethnic conflicts. The aims of this study were to assess attitudes towards PLHIV and examine factors associated with stronger positive attitudes towards PLHIV among university students in the Serbian province of Kosovo. A cross‐sectional study was conducted at the University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica during the academic year 2013–2014. A total of 1,017 first‐ and fourth‐year students completed an anonymous questionnaire about socio‐demographic characteristics, PLHIV, high‐risk groups for acquiring HIV and health behaviour. The main outcome measure was the Attitude Score (ATS), calculated as a sum of points awarded for all attitude‐related items. The majority of students (84%) expressed positive attitudes towards PLHIV, while others were indecisive. Most students held negative opinions about persons who use drugs (64%), homosexual persons of both genders (50%) and sex workers (42%). Being female (odds ratio [OR] = 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–2.09) and older (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.03–1.24), not doing paid work while studying (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.63–6.84), studying health‐related disciplines (β = −0.113, 95% CI = −0.085 to −2.747), having stronger positive attitudes towards homosexual persons of both genders (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.64–0.94) and not using illicit drugs (β = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.03–4.20) were associated with stronger positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Social inclusion of PLHIV and individuals at high risk for acquiring HIV could help reduce the HIV‐related stigma.