Knowledge and attitude of female high school students in relation to AIDS in Bonab ‎

Introduction: AIDS is the most serious health problem and the most deadly infectious disease in ‎the present century. Emerging of disease and lack of sufficient awareness about the disease can ‎easily expose the adolescents to the risk of disease. Increased knowledge and change in inaccurate ‎beliefs and behaviors are the best way for prevention of disease. ‎ Objective: This study was conducted to determine knowledge and attitude of high school ‎students in Bonab city regarding AIDS.‎ Methods: In this cross sectional study, ‎‏176‏‎ high school students in Bonab city were chosen by ‎two-stage cluster sampling method. Data was collected through a three-part questionnaire ‎‎(including demographic characteristics, ‎‏23‏‎ items to assess knowledge and ‎‏9‏‎ items for attitude). ‎The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by content validity and Cronbach's ‎alpha. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software using independent t test, chi-square, ‎ANOVA, Scheffe test and Pearson correlation statistical tests.‎  Results: Findings of study in relation to knowledge showed that the mean score of knowledge ‎about nature of disease and preventive approaches, (‎‏5.25±1.82‏‎), awareness about the transmission ‎ways, (‎‏9.09±3‏‎), and the general awareness of the disease was moderate (‎‏14.34±4.23‏‎). Two variables ‎of father's occupation (P=‎‏0.018‏‎) and having previous knowledge about the disease (P=‎‏0.000‏‎) were ‎correlated with the awareness of students, so students who had the lowest scores had unemployed ‎fathers. Although the majority of students were in moderate level for knowledge there were ‎misconceptions about AIDS and the transmission ways of disease among students. Results showed ‎that the mean of attitude scores was ‎‏24.2±5.67‏‎ and the majority of them had a good attitude ‎towards the disease. Variables of father's occupation (P = ‎‏0.03‏‎) and mother's occupation (P=‎‏0.02‏‎) ‎showed significant results with the attitude scores. Knowledge and attitude scores of students ‎also were correlated positively together (r = ‎‏0.41‏‎ and P = ‎‏0.000‏‎).‎‏ ‏  Conclusion: Although the knowledge level of students seemed to be moderate, there are ‎misconceptions and unfavorable attitudes about the routes of transmission that should be ‎corrected.We propose to develop strategies to reduce the risk of HIV in schools. Efforts should be ‎intensified to change attitude and performance among the high school students in Bonab. ‎