Knowledge and attitude about HIV/ AIDS of schoolteachers in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran

East Mediterr Health J. 2008 Mar-Apr;14(2):292-7.

Abstract

A cross-sectional interview study was made with 290 teachers in 10 high schools in Yazd city, Islamic Republic of Iran. More than 90% of the participants had previously received information about HIV and AIDS. Only 207 (71.4%) correctly answered all questions on methods of transmission of HIV/AIDS. Most knew about sexual contact (93.1%) and infected blood (92.1%) as methods of transmission. Some teachers (20.3%) thought that mosquitoes could transmit HIV/AIDS. Regarding attitudes toward HIV/AIDS, over 55% of the teachers agreed or strongly agreed that infected people should be quarantined, whereas 17% agreed or strongly agreed that AIDS is a specific disease of those with high-risk sexual behaviour. Married teachers held more positive attitudes toward HIV/AIDS than unmarried teachers.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Faculty*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections* / transmission
  • Health Education
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Infection Control
  • Iran / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population