T10-P-03 Cyprus university students’knowledge of HIV-AIDS: a little knowledge is a dangerous weapon

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine Cypriot University students’knowledge of HIV-AIDS. Prior research has indicated that high school students knew general information about HIV-AIDS but were uncertain about specific issues or procedures surrounding HIV-AIDS. A quasi-experimental post-test only design was used. An HIV-AIDS knowledge measure that assessed misconceptions and general information was the outcome measure. University students, in various courses, were introduced to the research and asked to voluntarily participate. Following signing the informed consent, the questionnaire was distributed to the participants. The analyses focused on whether male vs. female, rural vs. urban, area of study, sexual orientation, or being sexually active had greater knowledge about the general issues and the misconceptions surrounding HIV-AIDS. It is hypothesized that greater knowledge would allow one to take precautions to prevent one self from becoming infected. The research led to the following conclusions. First, there were no statistically significant differences in the students’general and misconceptions knowledge regarding HIV-AIDS. Second, there is a serious concern regarding the misconceptions surrounding HIV-AIDS that could potentially be putting the sexually active students at risk for contracting the disease. Third, although these students had been exposed to HIV-AIDS knowledge both in schools and through public campaigns, it is obvious that much more needs to be done regarding the misconceptions surrounding HIV-AIDS and prevention.