Knowledge, attitude and perception regarding HIV/AIDS among Khartoum University medical campus students – a cross-sectional study 2018

Abstract Background Clinical training is a part of curriculum for medical campus students, where there is a chance of exposure to HIV infection. Hence, this study was conducted to assess their knowledge, attitude and perception towards HIV/AIDS. Method This is a descriptive, non-interventional, cross-sectional study. Data collection took place December 2017 and January 2018. The study population included medical students at the University of Khartoum during the study period. Data were collected through a structured adapted questionnaire covering socio demographic details, General knowledge about HIV/AIDS, medical campus students perception towards the possible causes of HIV infection, medical campus students attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients used to collect data from medical students. Results This study investigated the knowledge, attitude and perception regarding HIV/AIDS among 288 medical students at University of Khartoum. It was found that the means and standard deviation of the total knowledge, attitude and perception score towards HIV/AIDS in general were 15.45±2.93. which was categorized fair (reference ranging from 13 to 18). the total knowledge, attitude and perception was significantly associated with the academic year (p=0.000), but no association was found between the attitude score and the academic year (p = 0.620). Conclusion The overall rate of knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among medical campus students of Khartoum University was acceptable. However, appreciated number of the students have had a negative attitude towards HIV/AIDS patient.