RESEARCH PAPER
Knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS
in general population of Northern region
of Saudi Arabia
1
Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia
2
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia
3
MBBS student, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia
Submission date: 2022-03-20
Acceptance date: 2022-03-30
Publication date: 2023-11-15
HIV & AIDS Review 2023;22(4):312-317
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Gap in knowledge and fear of infection with negative attitude towards human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are common in different cities across Saudi Arabia. The objectives of this study were to determine knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS among general population in Hail, Northern city in Saudi Arabia.
Material and methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among general population of Hail, Northern city of Saudi Arabia. A total of 388 participants were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from different districts of the city. A validated and structured questionnaire was used to determine the knowledge and attitude levels, and logistic regression analysis was applied to define the association of knowledge and attitude levels with sociodemographic characteristics. A p-value < 0.005 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
Out of 388 study participants, the majority presented inappropriate knowledge (42.5%) and negative attitude (54.4%). In univariate analysis, age group of 16-25 years and unmarried (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.27-2.92%, p = 0.002; and OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.23-2.92%, p = 0.003, respectively) were significantly associated with inappropriate knowledge level. Age group of 16-25 years, unmarried, and female gender (OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.77-3.86.92%, p = 0.000; OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.22-2.76%, p = 0.003; and OR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.56-3.74%, p = 0.000, respectively) were significantly associated with negative attitude towards HIV/AIDS. After adjustment of covariates, age group of 16-25 years and female gender (OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.25-5.14%, p = 0.009; and OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.56-3.30%, p = 0.001, respectively) were significantly associated with negative attitude toward HIV/AIDS.
Conclusions:
The present study found that general population had negative attitude toward HIV/AIDS. Extensive health education campaign should be provided to the vulnerable groups of the society for rationale control and management of HIV/AIDS.
Gap in knowledge and fear of infection with negative attitude towards human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are common in different cities across Saudi Arabia. The objectives of this study were to determine knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS among general population in Hail, Northern city in Saudi Arabia.
Material and methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among general population of Hail, Northern city of Saudi Arabia. A total of 388 participants were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from different districts of the city. A validated and structured questionnaire was used to determine the knowledge and attitude levels, and logistic regression analysis was applied to define the association of knowledge and attitude levels with sociodemographic characteristics. A p-value < 0.005 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
Out of 388 study participants, the majority presented inappropriate knowledge (42.5%) and negative attitude (54.4%). In univariate analysis, age group of 16-25 years and unmarried (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.27-2.92%, p = 0.002; and OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.23-2.92%, p = 0.003, respectively) were significantly associated with inappropriate knowledge level. Age group of 16-25 years, unmarried, and female gender (OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.77-3.86.92%, p = 0.000; OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.22-2.76%, p = 0.003; and OR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.56-3.74%, p = 0.000, respectively) were significantly associated with negative attitude towards HIV/AIDS. After adjustment of covariates, age group of 16-25 years and female gender (OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.25-5.14%, p = 0.009; and OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.56-3.30%, p = 0.001, respectively) were significantly associated with negative attitude toward HIV/AIDS.
Conclusions:
The present study found that general population had negative attitude toward HIV/AIDS. Extensive health education campaign should be provided to the vulnerable groups of the society for rationale control and management of HIV/AIDS.
REFERENCES (30)
1.
United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. AIDS Epidemic Update. Available from: URL: http://www.unaids.org/ (Accessed: 12.08.2011).
2.
Excler JL, Parks CL, Ackland J, Rees H, Gust ID, Koff WC. Replicating viral vectors as HIV vaccines. Biologicals 2009; 38: 511-521.
3.
Hayes R, Weiss H. Understanding HIV epidemic trends in Africa. Science 2006; 311: 620-621.
4.
Piot P, Bartos M, Ghys PD, Walker N, Schwartlander B. The global impact of HIV/AIDS. Nature 2001; 410: 968-973.
5.
Abolfotouh MA. The impact of a lecture on AIDS on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of male school-age adolescents in the Asir Region of southwestern Saudi Arabia. J Commun Health 1995; 20: 271-281.
6.
Al-Ghanim SA. Exploring public knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS in Saudi Arabia. A survey of primary health care users. Saudi Med J 2005; 26: 812-818.
7.
Alhasawi AM, Grover SB, Sadek A, Ashoor I, Alkhabbaz I, Almasri S. Assessing HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness, and attitudes among senior high school students in Kuwait. Medical Principles and Practice 2019; 28: 470-476.
8.
Al-Mazrou YY, Al-Jeffri MH, Fidail AI, Al-Huzaim N, El-Gizouli SE. HIV/AIDS epidemic features and trends in Saudi Arabia. Ann Saudi Med 2005; 25: 100-104.
9.
Mumtaz GR, Riedner G, Abu-Raddad LJ. The emerging face of the HIV epidemicin the Middle East and North Africa. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2014; 9: 183-191.
10.
Kesho Bora Study G, de Vincenzi I. Triple antiretroviral compared withzidovudine and single-dose nevirapine prophylaxis during pregnancy andbreastfeeding for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 (KeshoBora study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Infect Dis 2011; 11: 171-180.
11.
Al-Mozaini MA, Mansour MK, Al-Hokail AA, et al. HIV-care outcome in Saudi Arabia; a longitudinal cohort. JAIDS Clin Res 2014; 5: 370. DOI: 10.4172/2155-6113.1000370.
12.
Eckstein EC. Knowledge and attitude of nurses regarding patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA. Thesis presented to the Faculty of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. Available from: http://www.science-direct.com/... (Accessed: 12.08.2011).
13.
Rubin KH, Burgess KB, Dwyer KM, Hastings PD. Predicting preschoolers’ externalizing behaviors from toddler temperament, conflict, and maternal negativity. Develop Psychol 2003; 39: 164-176.
14.
Molina JM, Capitant C, Spire B, et al. On-demand preexposure prophylaxis in men athigh risk for HIV-1 infection. N Engl J Med 2015; 373: 2237-2246.
15.
Al-Mozaini M, Alrahbeni T, Dirar Q, Alotibi J, Alrajhi A. HIV in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: can we change the way we deal with co-infections. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14: 111-117.
16.
AlQumayzi A, Alsaab B, Maskati M, et al. Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV among medical and non-medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Int J Med Develop Countries 2020; 4: 2120-2130.
17.
Balbeesi A, Mohizea S. Knowledge and misconceptions of Saudi women about sexually transmitted infections. J Egypt Public Health Assoc 2017; 92: 235-239.
18.
Bhatti AB, Usman M, Kandi V. Current scenario of HIV/AIDS, treatment options, and major challenges with compliance to antiretroviral therapy. Cureus 2016; 8: e515. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus....
19.
Jin CX, Meng YC, Du WZ, Pei DD, Li A. Knowledge of infection prevention and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among chinese dental bachelor interns: an appeal for educational intervention. Oral Health Prev Dent 2020; 18: 485-492.
20.
Jodati AR, Nourabadi GR, Hassanzadeh S, Dastgiri S, Sedaghat K. Impact of education in promoting the knowledge of and attitude to HIV/AIDS prevention: a trial on 17,000 Iranian students. Int J STD AIDS 2007; 18: 407-409.
21.
Kamala BA, Aboud S. Knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV prevention among secondary school students in Bukoba Rural, Kagera region – Tanzania. Dar Es Salaam Medical Students’ Journal 2010; 14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/dmsj.v....
22.
Zoysa D, Micheal D, Julie A. Faithful but fearful: reducing HIV transmission in stable relationships. AIDS 1996; 10: 197-204.
23.
Smith D. Youth, sin and sex in Nigeria: christianity and HIV/AIDS-related beliefs and behaviour among rural-urban migrants. Culture Health Sexuality 2004; 6: 425-437.
24.
Okonkwo U, Ameh S, Out A, Okpara H. HIV-related knowledge, attitude and practices of healthy adults in Cross River State Nigeria: a population based-survey. Pan Afr Med J 2017; 27: 170. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.....
25.
Sharma S. Knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS among sexual minorities of Kathmandu. Journal of Kathmandu Medical College 2017; 5: 77-81.
26.
Tan X, Pan J, Zhou D, Wang C, Xie C. HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and behaviors assessment of Chinese students: a questionnaire study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2007; 4: 248-253.
27.
Tung WC, Lu M, Cook DM. HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes among Chinese college students in the US. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 2012; 15: 788-795.
28.
Webber GC. Chinese health care providers’ attitudes about HIV: a review. AIDS Care 2007; 19: 685-691.
29.
Parker R, Aggleton P. HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination: a con-ceptual framework and implications for action. Soc Sci Med 2003; 57: 13-24.
30.
Treves-Kagan S, Steward WT, Ntswane L, et al. Why increasing availability of ART is not enough: a rapid, community-basedstudy on how HIV-related stigma impacts engagement to care in rural South Africa. BMC Public Health 2016; 16: 87. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2753-2.
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 1732-2707 |
| ISSN: | 1730-1270 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
