Assessment of HIV knowledge and its determinants among the general population in Saudi Arabia: a national cross-sectional study

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a global health challenge, with Saudi Arabia reporting one of the lowest prevalence rates worldwide. However, societal stigma and cultural sensitivities may impact reporting and prevention efforts. Understanding HIV knowledge among the general population is crucial for developing effective public health strategies. This study aimed to assess the level of HIV knowledge among the general population in Saudi Arabia and examine the factors influencing it. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey distributed through social media platforms. The validated Arabic version of the Brief HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18) was used to assess HIV knowledge among 268 adult residents in Saudi Arabia. Participants were categorized into “Good knowledge” and “Poor knowledge” groups based on median score. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of good HIV knowledge. Overall, 44.4% of participants demonstrated good HIV knowledge. Male participants showed significantly higher good HIV knowledge compared to females (61% vs. 39%, p < 0.001). Medical field participants exhibited significantly higher median knowledge scores than non-medical participants (9 vs. 6, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified male gender (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.32–3.95, p = 0.003) and field of work/study as significant predictors, where non-medical participants were less likely to have good HIV knowledge compared to medical participants (AOR = 0.255, 95% CI: 0.13–0.47, p < 0.001). Educational level and employment status showed trends toward significance but were not independent predictors. Significant disparities in HIV knowledge exist across demographic and professional groups in Saudi Arabia, with gender and medical background emerging as key predictors. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions, particularly for women and non-medical professionals. Implementation of comprehensive public health campaigns and integration of HIV education into various educational and professional settings are recommended to improve overall HIV awareness and prevention efforts.