ABSTRACT

Objective:

To evaluate the level of knowledge and attitudes of the high school students for HIV / AIDS and also to evaluate the sources from which the information has been received.

Material and Methods:

74 male and 39 female high school students (n:113) have participated in the study. The survey questionnaire was developed by the researchers and implemented by UNICEF and it contained 22 questions assessing knowledge and attitudes. Survey interviewing method was applied to students.

Results:

The average rate of correct answers to questions about the knowledge, in male and female students were 71.8%±10.9, 73.4±9.2% respectively. The vast majority of the students (96.4%) have knowledge about virus that causes the disease. 93% of the students have knowledge that the disease could been detected by a blood test but only 31% of them knows the name of the Elisa test. 42.4% of them have stated that it is an incurable disease. 49.1% of the students’ thought that, a person with AIDS does not have the diseases. Majority of the students have stated that they have had knowledge about HIV/AIDS form conferences and TV. 20% of students had a negative attitude and refusal towards-the patient who were infected with HIV or has AIDS.

Conclusion:

The students have a good level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS. The rate of information possessed reflected insufficiently on attitudes and behaviors. Parents’ cooperation with the students is needed to obtain adequate information on this subject.