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

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.