Impact of health education on knowledge and attitudes of Saudi paramedical students toward HIV/AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of health education on the knowledge and attitudes of paramedical students in Saudi Arabia toward HIV/AIDS.


METHODS
We carried out an interventional study on a sample selected from students of health institutes and health colleges in Saudi Arabia during the calendar year 2002-2003.


RESULTS
The intervention shows a positive effect on students' knowledge regarding means of transmission of HIV and means of protection from HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, it has a positive impact on students' attitudes toward accepting discussion of AIDS topics with others, acceptance of home care for HIV infected family member and acceptance of HIV-infected individual's right at work. Preference of confidentiality was also significantly increased after intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Health education intervention has a positive impact on students' knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and we recommend a nationwide health education program on HIV/AIDS.
Al-Mazrou
Yagob Y
YY
Preventive Medicine Department and the parasitic and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 11176, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. yalmazrou@ hotmail.com
Abouzeid
Mohammad S
MS
Al-Jeffri
Mohammad H
MH
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003906:Developing Countries; D004517:Education, Professional; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia