Introduction: AIDS is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world and especially among young people. Prevention is known as the most principal approach to manage this issue. AIDS prevention requires gaining knowledge and real attitude of transmission and prevention of this illness. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes toward AIDS between students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, in 2015.
Methods: This investigation was a cross-sectional descriptive study. 320 students from medicine, nursing, midwifery and paramedical sciences schools were selected by sampling methods in 2014-2015. To collect data, demographic and the international AIDS questionnaire was used. Data analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis with SPSS software, version 22.
Results: The mean and standard deviation score of students’ knowledge toward AIDS in general was 5/89±54/43 and 3/54±20/12 for attitudes score. The results showed that between gender and level of knowledge (P=0/391) and attitude about AIDS (P=0/104) no significant difference was seen. Also, between faculty and educational level of students and their knowledge and attitudes no significant changes was recognized (P<0/05).
Conclusion: Due to the necessity of increasing knowledge about routes of AIDS transmission and appropriate attitudes toward patients, authorities should design and organize programs, based on cultural and social conditions, to raise knowledge and improve attitudes, specially prevetion of AIDS transmission, in society.