Cross-sectional Study on the Awareness of Hiv among University of Cyberjaya Students

Abstract

Background: Malaysia is currently confronting a significant Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the transgender community despite ongoing efforts to raise awareness about HIV. Objective: This study aims to assess knowledge and awareness level about HIV among University of Cyberjaya (UOC) students. Methods: A cross-sectional study done among students of University of Cyberjaya who fulfill the inclusion and exclusion requirement. Data collected via online questionnaires distributed to various faculty and were analyzed by using JASP. This study used a mean scoring system to check the awareness level and Pearsons’s correlation to find the relationship between their awareness level and socio-demographic status. Results: In this study, out of 200 respondent, majority of the participants were Female (64.0%), aged between 20-29 years old (88.0%), Malay (46.0%), Single (96.0%), MBBS students (79.5%) from Faculty of Medicine (79.5%), currently in their 4th year of studies (39.0%). Conclusion: Overall, our findings show most of the participants have a high level of awareness and knowledge on HIV as more than 90% of them are able to identify the correct mode of transmission for HIV. However, there was no significant correlation between their level of awareness and socio-demographic status. In this study, participants show a lack of knowledge on PrEP as 56.5% of them have heard of PrEP. Although the number reached more than half percent, they had never discussed PrEP with family, friends or healthcare workers.