The Relationship Between HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitudes Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS: An Educational Intervention Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of educational interventions on knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS, with the goal of reducing stigma. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted. This intervention study assessed knowledge and attitudes about HIV/ AIDS using a 5-point Likert scale. Participants, selected by convenience sampling method, included patients, their relatives, and healthcare providers at a University Hospital, excluding those with HIV/AIDS. After completing a pre-test questionnaire, participants received written information from an infectious disease specialist on HIV/AIDS, covering prevalence, transmission, prevention, and treatment per WHO guidelines. A post-test was then administered to evaluate changes in knowledge and attitudes. The study used a validated Turkish attitude scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation or median and range. Correlation analysis examined the relationship between HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes. Results: In the study conducted with 388 participants, the mean age was 34, with 48.7% male and 51.3% female. Education significantly increased HIV/AIDS knowledge and improved empathetic, accepting attitudes toward individuals living with HIV (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that educational interventions should be implemented widely, especially in healthcare settings, to combat stigma. Future actions could include integrating similar programs into routine training for healthcare workers, patient education initiatives, and community outreach. Expanding the approach to other regions and monitoring long-term effects would further support stigma reduction.