Knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention among undergraduate students at the University of Bisha in Saudi Arabia

Background Young people are the primary group at risk for HIV/AIDS worldwide. Raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in this group is crucial for managing AIDS and preventing the transmission of HIV. This study aimed to assess students' knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention, as well as their attitudes toward HIV infection. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2024 to March 2025 at the University of Bisha in Saudi Arabia. A multistage cluster sampling method was used to select undergraduate students from the disciplines of humanities, business, engineering, and technology. A self-administered questionnaire comprising 19 items was developed to assess students' knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS. Results Out of 422 students, 96.4% (214 male and 193 female) completed the questionnaire. The mean total knowledge score was 25.26 ± 3.62 out of 35. Regarding knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention, approximately 88% of students know that HIV/AIDS is transmitted through sexual contact, and 75.7% believe it can be spread through blood transfusion. However, 25% incorrectly think there is a vaccine for HIV/AIDS. There were significant differences in knowledge based on students' academic level (p < .0001). Regarding attitudes towards HIV/AIDS infection, over half of the students surveyed (n = 221; 54.3%) had negative attitudes toward HIV/AIDS infection, while 45.7% (n = 186) had positive attitudes. Notably, 62% (n = 252) would avoid interacting with someone infected, and around 40% would not continue to support a friend with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, 12.3% reported reusing the same syringe for medication. There were no statistically significant differences in attitude level based on students' gender, residency, college, or academic level. Conclusions The study revealed a good level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, but identified flaws in attitudes among the participants. However, education and increasing awareness regarding HIV serve as effective strategies to reduce stigma.