Level of Knowledge and Attitude of Undergraduate Students of University of Peshawar about HIV/AIDS and its Patients

Muhammad Hasnain; Asif jan; Shahzar Khan; Shandana Begum; Bilal Muhammad; Shahid Alam; Shandana Khan Zeerak

doi:10.37962/jpps.v9i3.541

Muhammad Hasnain Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
Asif jan Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
Shahzar Khan Shahzar Khan Department of Microbiology Abdul Wali khan University, Mardan, Pakistan.
Shandana Begum Department of Biotechnology, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Pakistan.
Bilal Muhammad Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
Shahid Alam Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Khyber Medical University, Pakistan.
Shandana Khan Zeerak Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Pakistan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37962/jpps.v9i3.541

Keywords: Undergraduate Students, Peshawar, HIV/AIDS, awareness.

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS is one of the alarming health conditions. HIV virus attack is cureless. It completely destroys human immune system in a slow progressive manner and makes body vulnerable to other diseases.

Objectives: To evaluate the level of knowledge and attitude of undergraduate students belonging to University of Peshawar. The aim of the study was to bring the attention of students towards HIV/AIDS care and prevention.

Methodology: Cross sectional study was designed where data was collected from the students enrolled in different departments; Pharmacy, Law, Business Administration, Journalism and Political Science on a carefully designed proforma. Students were asked to fill the questionnaires composed of two sections; knowledge of students about HIV/AIDS and attitude of students regarding management of HIV/AIDS patients if any, in daily routine life. Finally results were extracted from the collected information.

Results: 62.96% of undergraduate students of University of Peshawar had proper knowledge about AIDS spread, care and prevention while, 8.32% of students shared enough information about the management of HIV/AIDS patients in routine life. It was concluded that 37.04% students were ignorant about HIV/AIDS, while 41.68% showed lack of enough knowledge about how to manage to tackle HIV patients in routine life.

Conclusion: There is significant lacking of awareness about HIV/AIDS among students. There is a dire need to aware the population about this deadly disease to avoid its spread.