Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Background: In contrast to most regions of the world where a decline of the HIV epidemic can be seen, data from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region suggests increasing incidence among key populations in the region. Accurate data collection has long been limited by social, cultural, and re...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034117301314 |
| _version_ | 1818132549472354304 |
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| author | Heba A. Alwafi Alaa M.T. Meer Alaa Shabkah Fahtima S. Mehdawi Hadeel El-haddad Nezar Bahabri Hani Almoallim |
| author_facet | Heba A. Alwafi Alaa M.T. Meer Alaa Shabkah Fahtima S. Mehdawi Hadeel El-haddad Nezar Bahabri Hani Almoallim |
| author_sort | Heba A. Alwafi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: In contrast to most regions of the world where a decline of the HIV epidemic can be seen, data from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region suggests increasing incidence among key populations in the region. Accurate data collection has long been limited by social, cultural, and religious taboos. Understanding knowledge levels and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS is an important component to design adequate and culturally appropriate awareness and prevention programs. Methods: A survey was conducted including 3841 participants during a series of public HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns from 2013 to 2015 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a questionnaire including socio-demographic data, and questions around knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS. A knowledge score was created. Frequencies were calculated for all variables, mean knowledge scores were compared using non-parametric tests. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-squared test.The mean knowledge score was 5.2 out of 9 possible points. Respondents in the age class 19–25, respondents with university degrees, and those who know people living with HIV/AIDS had higher scores. Overall the attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS was negative, more than 40% suggested that HIV positive people should be isolated and less than 20% would support a marriage with an HIV positive person. Negative attitudes were more common among people in older age groups, with a lower educational background, and respondents that did not know anyone living with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Knowledge gaps and negative attitudes of the general public toward people living with HIV/AIDS have been identified and can be used to tailor educational campaigns in Saudi Arabia. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Saudi Arabia, Knowledge and attitudes, Survey, General population |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T08:38:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fbdb394495784b1fbb989df32ce02efd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1876-0341 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T08:38:36Z |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-fbdb394495784b1fbb989df32ce02efd2022-12-22T01:14:19ZengElsevierJournal of Infection and Public Health1876-03412018-01-011118084Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaHeba A. Alwafi0Alaa M.T. Meer1Alaa Shabkah2Fahtima S. Mehdawi3Hadeel El-haddad4Nezar Bahabri5Hani Almoallim6King Abdulaziz Univeristy, Abdullah Sulayman, Jeddah 21589, Saudi ArabiaMinistry of National Guard Hospital, King Abdulaziz Meidcal City, Department of Medicine, Jeddah 21423, Saudi ArabiaInternational Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Hail Street Al-Ruwais, Jeddah 23214, Saudi ArabiaDr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Department of Medicine, Falastin Street Al-Hamra’a, Jeddah 23323, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding author.Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Department of Medicine, Falastin Street Al-Hamra’a, Jeddah 23323, Saudi ArabiaDr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Department of Medicine, Falastin Street Al-Hamra’a, Jeddah 23323, Saudi ArabiaDr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Department of Medicine, Falastin Street Al-Hamra’a, Jeddah 23323, Saudi Arabia; Umm Alqura University an Alzaidi Chair of Research, Saudi ArabiaBackground: In contrast to most regions of the world where a decline of the HIV epidemic can be seen, data from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region suggests increasing incidence among key populations in the region. Accurate data collection has long been limited by social, cultural, and religious taboos. Understanding knowledge levels and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS is an important component to design adequate and culturally appropriate awareness and prevention programs. Methods: A survey was conducted including 3841 participants during a series of public HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns from 2013 to 2015 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a questionnaire including socio-demographic data, and questions around knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS. A knowledge score was created. Frequencies were calculated for all variables, mean knowledge scores were compared using non-parametric tests. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-squared test.The mean knowledge score was 5.2 out of 9 possible points. Respondents in the age class 19–25, respondents with university degrees, and those who know people living with HIV/AIDS had higher scores. Overall the attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS was negative, more than 40% suggested that HIV positive people should be isolated and less than 20% would support a marriage with an HIV positive person. Negative attitudes were more common among people in older age groups, with a lower educational background, and respondents that did not know anyone living with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Knowledge gaps and negative attitudes of the general public toward people living with HIV/AIDS have been identified and can be used to tailor educational campaigns in Saudi Arabia. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Saudi Arabia, Knowledge and attitudes, Survey, General populationhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034117301314 |
| spellingShingle | Heba A. Alwafi Alaa M.T. Meer Alaa Shabkah Fahtima S. Mehdawi Hadeel El-haddad Nezar Bahabri Hani Almoallim Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| title | Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| title_full | Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| title_short | Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| title_sort | knowledge and attitudes toward hiv aids among the general population of jeddah saudi arabia |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034117301314 |
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