Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS): Knowledge, attitudes of university students of the State of Azad Kashmir (Pakistan)

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Epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a significant threat to humankind. This threat is more alarming to developing countries, where poverty and illiteracy may contribute towards higher risk for HIV transmission. To preclude the further feast of HIV, it is very important that people should have a good knowledge of HIV disease. The aim of this study was to examine the level of awareness and attitudes to HIV/AIDS among students at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted over population samples of 467 students. Significance of data trend was measured by Chi-square test. Our findings showed that 97.9% of the students had heard about HIV/AIDS, 94% respondents considered HIV/AIDS as a fatal disease. About 81.6% of the respondents considered HIV/AIDS as a communicable disease, 84.6% of the respondents agreed that HIV/AIDS can be prevented. 66% of students said that there is no vaccine for HIV. Results of this study show that there is a mediocre level of knowledgeable awareness among the university students in Azad Kashmir. In order to increase the level of awareness to satisfactory level, it is recommended that HIV education should be part of curriculum among all levels of education. Mass media or public media campaigns can not only raise the knowledge in students but also in general public. Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Azad Kashmir, communicable disease, cross sectional study