P-49 A cross-sectional study examining sociodemographic associations of Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Knowledge and Attitudes Among College of Medical Students
Author(s):
O Vanlewin , A Hutson , C Abrams , B Ally-Charles , J Hatton, L Harris , C Boston, D Van-Veen
Type Of Study:
- Quantitative
- Observational Study
Year of Presentation:
2025
Objective: This study investigated the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on health sciences university students’
attitudes and knowledge towards HIV/AIDS in Guyana,
focusing on the relationship between sociodemographic
factors, transmission understanding, personal risk, and factual knowledge.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving a sample of 269 participants from the College of Medical Sciences (COMS) at the University of Guyana. From a total enrolment of 850 students in the COMS, a calculated sample size of 265 was determined using Cochran’s formula, with a confidence interval of 95%, a margin-of-error of 5%, and an assumed population proportion of 50%. Considering potential missing data and incomplete questionnaires, a sample of 292 (265 + 27 (10%)) was considered. Data were collected using a modified International AIDS Questionnaire, and statistical analyses, including Pearson’s Chi-squared tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests, were conducted to evaluate associations between sociodemographic variables and HIV/AIDS knowledge.
Results: The study found significant differences in HIV/ AIDS knowledge based on residence type and socioeconomic status. Students from rural areas exhibited lower knowledge scores than those from suburban and urban backgrounds (H(2)= p<0.037). This is supported by a Chisquared test result of X² = 6.048 (df=2, p<0.049). Additionally, high-income students had higher mean scores across all knowledge categories compared to low-income students, indicating a significant disparity (p = 0.035).
Conclusion: These results emphasize the importance of education strategies designed to fit the needs of health sciences students in rural and low-income areas. It highlights the importance of specialized sexual health education so that the understanding on HIV/AIDS among different groups of students in Guyana can be improved.