title: HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and perceptions: a cross-sectional household survey.
abstract: This study aimed to assess knowledge of and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among a community in a semi-urban setting in Malaysia, to determine factors affecting perceptions toward people living with HIV in the community, and to provide baseline information for planning preventive measures against HIV/AIDS. This cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2009. Two hundred sixty-two household members were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. Most respondents (232; 88.5%) had heard of HIV/AIDS. Only a few respondents (6; 2.6%) could correctly answer all the questionnaire items. Misconceptions about disease transmission were seen among surveyed participants, such as the belief HIV/AIDS can be contracted from saliva (104; 44.8%), mosquito bites (95; 40.9%) or casual touch (86; 37.1%). A multivariate linear regression model showed better perceptions towards people living with HIV depend on an improved knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission. Current data emphasize the need to scale up HIV/AIDS education incorporating the mode of disease transmission.
authors.affiliation: International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. cho_naing@imu.edu.my
authors.forename: Cho M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Naing
authors.forename: Mohd
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hakim
authors.forename: Daniel Ang Tze
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Koo Ray
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Mun
authors.forename: Tan Chang
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Yung
authors.forename: Kong Keat
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Jian
authors.forename: Sara Siew Suet
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kuan
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged