Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices towards HIV/AIDS among Iranian different groups society in the south coast area of the Caspian Sea

Background and Objectives: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a pandemic disease that threatens the world population. Because of lake of knowledge about AIDS in youth, it seems that prevention the spread of this disease is a great service to the country in line with public health and sustainable development. Materials and Methods : The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to investigate the state of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices of HIV/AIDS prevention in a sample of Iranian Different Groups Society. Using a multistage area sampling method, a random sample of individuals aged from 15 to 65 years old in south coastwise of the Caspian Sea. Selecting a representative sample of the high school students, medical students, students, rural women, urban women, and athletes within 11 different cities in Mazandaran state had the same probability to be sampled. Individuals agreeing to participate were given a four-page self–administered questionnaire. Results: In all 22,297 eligible participants completed the questionnaire. The mean age of respondents was 22.61 (S.D. =10.21) years ranging from 15 to 65. (n=16,820, 75.4%) were male and married (n=5,409, 24.3%), Most respondents (n=19,628, 88%) had income levels average. The findings indicated that the respondents had average to fairly good knowledge about AIDS. The correct answers ranged from 9.9%to about 93.6%. Also the results showed that the majority of the respondents were strongly agree or agree with the statement that people with AIDS should have social right to study or work (n=11,959, 53.6%). Conclusion: Such findings suggest that prevention programs should be encourage and these might have the potential role to limit the emergence of Iran’s HIV / AIDS epidemic especially in the high school students, medical students, students, rural women, urban women, athletes, and of this country.