Knowledge and attitude of University students on HIV and AIDS

Knowledge about transmission of HIV and AIDS, the attitude towards the people living with AIDS has a critical impact on prevention of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Knowledge on modes of transmission, prevention alongside was assessed amongst the UEAB students in Nandi County. School based cross-sectional survey of 180 students selected through probability sampling (94 males and 86 females). A pretested questionnaire was administered to assess knowledge and attitude of the students on HIV/AIDS. Knowledge and attitude scores were generated from the students’ responses and multi variable linear regression was used to study the association of these scores with select predictor variables (notably age, year of study and school of study). Most students in the sample knew about their HIV status. A good proportion (85%) knew that AIDS is not curable. This study identified substantial lacunae in the knowledge of and attitude towards AIDS. HIV and AIDS education should be strengthened among the general population, especially among youths.