HIV-AIDS knowledge among students visiting the university pavilion at a popular event in Évora-Portugal

Abstract

Introduction. HIV infects more than 2.6 million people/year, reaching 38.0 million by 2019. WHO recognized the disease as a major threat to humanity. Objective. To assess the level of knowledge of HIV-AIDS and associated factors in students during popular events, Évora-Portugal. Methods. Quantitative cross-sectional study, convenience sample, 313 students who visited the in-stitutional pavilion, South Portugal. Sociodemographic data were collected, the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18) was applied. The Kuder-Richardson test yielded a coefficient of 0.847. Data analysis SPSS version 24.0. Results. 56.9% were female (16 and 30 years). Except for 5 items, where the percentage of correct responses exceeded 50%, subjects answered incorrectly about HIV transmission. Mann-Whitney and Kruskall-Walis tests detected no differences in male/female knowledge, age groups and condom availability. Cluster analysis showed two profiles: 1) higher university knowledge, being female, 19-21 years old, low or very high use. 2) low/very low knowledge with associated factors moderate alcohol consumption, represented by males (22-24 years). Conclusion. Conducting this type of survey allows education programmes to address spe-cific HIV/AIDS gaps.