Assessing HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Stigmatising Attitudes among Clinical Medical Students at IMU University, Malaysia

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) continue to be significant global public health issues, affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite ongoing efforts in education and awareness, misconceptions and stigmatising attitudes toward individuals living with HIV/AIDS persist in many communities, including among future healthcare professionals. This study was designed to evaluate both the level of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and the extent of stigmatising attitudes among clinical medical students enrolled at the IMU University in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using stratified random sampling at a private higher education institution, IMU University Malaysia. The study population consisted of clinical-year medical students from semesters 6, 7, 8, and 9. After stratifying the students by semester, simple random sampling was used to select participants from each group. Data collection was conducted using self-administered questionnaires that included sections on sociodemographic information, a set of items designed to assess knowledge and misconceptions related to HIV/AIDS, and a separate set of items aimed at evaluating attitudes and stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS. Results: The study achieved a high response rate of 96%, with a total of 180 participants. Statistical analysis revealed there is no significant association between students’ semester level and their HIV/AIDS knowledge score (p value = 0.39), nor between semester level and HIV stigma score (p value = 0.17). Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigmatising attitudes (p value = 0.85), with a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = -0.129. Conclusion: The findings suggest that HIV/AIDS stigma is influenced by multiple factors beyond knowledge, emphasising the need for comprehensive public health interventions.