Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess and compare attitudes toward HIV and AIDS among undergraduate students by gender at a historically black university.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 undergraduate students enrolled in Jackson State University. Data were collected using a validated self-administered standardized questionnaire that was designed to measure their attitudes toward HIV and AIDS.
Results: Eighty-seven percent of students expressed positive attitudes towards people living with HIV and AIDS. However, there were some negative attitudes toward HIV/AIDS patients. Male students had more negative attitudes compared to female students (19.1% vs. 8.5%, chi-square test= 9.6; P<0.002>
Conclusions: Despite high positive attitudes (87.8%), there were some negative attitudes toward people living with HIV and AIDS in this study. Concerning gender, males had more negative attitudes compared to females. This investigation calls for continued and strengthened health awareness education and promotion of positive attitudes toward people living with HIV and AIDS.
Keywords
Attitudes, Students, African Americans, HBCU, Mississippi