Saudi Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs towards AIDS/HIV

A community based study was carried out in order to investigate general knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of Saudi public toward Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus [HIV] and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome [AIDS). The study included both college students and adult clients of primary health care centers constituting two thousands subjects, representing 1350 males and 650 females. The results showed that Saudi population was generally having good knowledge about AIDS. They were well informed about known modes of transmission of the virus, but a considerable number indicated certain amount of misinformation about AIDS transmission especially for casual and social contact with infected person, razor and mosquito bite. Some confusion was found regarding knowledge about infectivity during progression of the disease. The study also revealed an overall negative attitudes towards the HIV/AIDS infected individuals. Intensified mass media and public health education program should be activated to increase public awareness and modify their attitudes toward the disease.