Knowledge on HIV and sexual transmission of HIV among male college students

Objective (s): This study aimed to examine the extent of knowledge among young male students on HIV transmission, particularly sexual transmission and its associated factors. A cross sectional study was conducted among a sample of male college students in Tehran, Iran. Sampling method was two-stage stratified sampling method and students from three state universities and one non-profit private university were selected. Dependent variables were knowledge on HIV transmission and knowledge on sexual transmission of HIV. Data was collected via a structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation, t-test, Chi-square test. In all 1357 were studied. The mean age of students was 22 (SD= 2.76) years. The analysis of data indicated that incorrect responses about various means of HIV transmission varied from 13% to 58%. Most misbelieves and misinformation comprised of ‘transmission through insect, blood transfusion using a clean strange, touching infected blood with no tears, using common toilet, using common syringe, sexual contact with infected partner’. Although the mean score of knowledge about HIV transmission and sexual transmission of HIV was at an average level, there was an important heterogeneity with regard to means of HIV transmission. Despite that 87% of male college students were aware of transmission of HIV through sexual contact with infected partner, but detailed information about sexual transmission of HIV was poor. About 50.3% and 37.7% of respondents were not aware of HIV transmission through non-vaginal penetrative sex [oral sex and homesexual relation]. Associated individual and social factors of HIV knowledge and knowledge on sexual transmission of HIV were also examined in this paper. The results highlight the need for comprehensive education and eliminating misconceptions about sexual transmission of HIV. Particularly, education on HIV among adolescents and young people should be tailored to their specific socio-economic status and among high-risk groups of young people.