title: Assessing Knowledge of, and Attitudes to, HIV/AIDS among University Students in the United Arab Emirates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the top two regions in the world with the fastest growing HIV epidemic. In this context, risks and vulnerability are high as the epidemic is on the rise with evidence indicating significantly increasing HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the survey was to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/AIDS among a wide group of university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional survey, a total sample of 2,294 students (406 male; 1,888 female) from four universities in three different Emirates in the UAE were approached to take part in the study. Students self-completed a questionnaire that was designed to measure their knowledge and attitudes to HIV/AIDS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall average knowledge score of HIV.AIDS was 61%. Non-Emirati and postgraduates demonstrated higher levels of knowledge compared to Emirati and undergraduate students respectively. No significant differences between males and females; and marital status were found. Eighty-five percent of students expressed negative attitudes towards people living with HIV, with Emirati and single students significantly holding more negative attitudes compared to non-Emiratis and those that are married respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings provide strong evidence that there is a need to advocate for appropriate National HIV/AIDS awareness raising campaigns in universities to reduce the gaps in knowledge and decrease stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Programs, UNICEF Gulf Area Office, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.|Natural Science and public Health, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haroun
authors.affiliation: Programs, UNICEF Gulf Area Office, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: El Saleh
authors.affiliation: Programs, UNICEF Gulf Area Office, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Natural Science and public Health, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Rola
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mechli
authors.affiliation: Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al Marzouqi
authors.affiliation: Programs, UNICEF Gulf Area Office, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anouti
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities