Factors Influencing Students' Attitude towards HIV/AIDS in a Public University, Malaysia

Abstract

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome has remained one of the priority global public health challenges. The
aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the attitudes related to HIV/AIDS among students in a public
university in Malaysia. The students were selected based on a two-stage probability proportionate to size random
sampling method. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. Out of the 1773 respondents, 57.3 % were female
and the mean age was 22.5 years. The results showed that only 19.5 % stated that they will inform their partners
or family if diagnosed positive for HIV infection and 43 % were willing to care for an HIV infected person in
their own house. The overall mean attitude score was 24.1. Knowledge was significantly associated with the
attitude towards HIV/AIDS among students. However, age, educational level, marital status, place of residence
was not associated with the attitude towards HIV/AIDS among students.