Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the knowledge and attitude of high (secondary) school students concerning HIV/AIDS in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This is a descriptive study using a questionnaire to investigate students' knowledge of and attitudes to HIV/AIDS. A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed randomly to students at four high schools (two girls' and two boys' schools), of which 567 (94.5%) were returned and valid for analysis. The questionnaire was designed to collect data on a number of variables about HIV/AIDS epidemic including students' general knowledge and attitudes, its mode of transmission and students' source of information about the disease. Data were analyzed in a descriptive fashion.
Results: Despite the majority of high school students correctly identifying the main modes of HIV/AIDS transmission, there was a relative deficiency in their knowledge about the disease. Students' attitudes were consequently defective towards HIV/AIDS infected people. Their main source of information about the infection was the media, particularly TV. The results indicated that the contribution of schools, health staff and relatives in providing high school students with knowledge about HIV/AIDS was minimal.
Conclusion: There is a need to provide students with correct information on HIV/AIDS infection. School teachers and health care providers should work together to help students acquire adequate knowledge and appropriate attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. This will help not only in correcting misconceptions about the disease, but also in preventing the spread of the infection among this young group of Saudi society