ABSTRACT
This study examined knowledge and attitude of students towards HIV/AIDS in the Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge of university students towards HIV/AIDS, including their understanding of the transmission, prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, evaluate the attitude of university students towards HIV/AIDS, including their perception of people living with HIV/AIDS and the stigma associated with the disease, determine the factors influencing the knowledge and attitude of university students towards HIV/AIDS, such as gender, age, sexual behaviour, and educational level, and make recommendations for interventions and policies to improve the knowledge and attitude of university students towards HIV/AIDS.
The study employed the descriptive method of data analysis which was based on simple percentage method and bar chart in analyzing the three hundred and thirty-eight (338) questionnaires distributed and retrieved from respondents in the study area. However, the findings from the study revealed that the knowledge about HIV/AIDS among students is high; most students first learn about sexual issues from their course mate and friends; there is a high level of awareness and sensitization campaign on HIV/AIDS among students in University of Benin.
The study however recommended that the prevention programs would also focus on developing positive attitude toward infected persons, reproductive health information, including HIV/AIDS should be included in university curriculum in order to enhance student knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS prevention, with the incorporation of free HIV testing, undergraduate students will able to receive HIV without concern of the financial burden. This action may increase the rate of HIV testing among this population and in turn reduce rates of transmission, to increase source of information of the students in terms of mass media and health education, HIV/AIDS prevention programme should be developed and implemented on university to promote changes in attitude in order to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to increase or introduce comprehensive knowledge and attitude of transmission and skills of preventing HIV/AIDS as a priority.
