Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · European Journal of General Dentistry
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1806774
Review Article

HIV-/AIDS-Related Knowledge and Attitudes among Saudi Health Professionals and Students: A Review Article

1   Preventive Dental Sciences Department, College of Dentistry, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
› Institutsangaben

Funding None.
 

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the immune system of the body, while acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease. It has been reported that 9 out of every 10 cases in Saudi Arabia remain undiagnosed. All health care staff are at risk of HIV infection with the increasing numbers of HIV-positive patients.

This study reviewed the literature on HIV- and AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes among Saudi health professionals and students. A literature search using combined keywords was performed in three scientific databases of peer-reviewed publications during the past 10 years (2014–2024), leaving a final selection of 19 studies included in the review.

A variety of health professionals/students have been studied. Most of the studies reported major misconceptions or unsatisfactory level of knowledge, negative attitudes, and behaviors. The most commonly used sampling approach was convenience sampling.

This review highlighted the importance of continuously evaluating health professionals'/students' knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS. The recommendations by most of the studies that institutions tailor their educational approach to adopt the most efficient and effective ways of spreading HIV/AIDS awareness and increasing health workers' knowledge through in-service training might enhance their perceived confidence and thus their willingness and attitudes toward treating such patients.


Introduction

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the immune system of the body, while acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advances stage of the disease. HIV remains a major concern in global public health, with around 40.4 million deaths, 39 million individuals living with HIV at the end of 2022, and an ongoing transmission globally.[1]

The first confirmed case in Saudi Arabia was in 1984.[2] In 2020, there were 12,000 adults and children living with HIV, among them 1,000 new infections, with less than 200 deaths.[3] Saudi Arabia has a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, but there is a high influx of foreign nationals with high risk of transmission of HIV.[2]

It has been reported that 9 out of every 10 cases in Saudi Arabia remain undiagnosed, and this contradicts with article 31 of the basic law of Saudi Arabia, as these rights for all its citizens are affirmed. The right to health care declares, “The state takes care of health issues and provides health care for every citizen.”[4]

All health care staff are at risk of HIV infection, with an increasing number of surviving HIV-positive patients.[5] Fear of HIV infection or AIDS phobia among health care providers is a major barrier to successful delivery of care to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The risk of infection by blood-borne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus represents a significant threat to health care providers.[6] The occupational exposure to HIV with needle-stick injury has risk linked ranging from 0.2 to 0.5%.[7]

The minimal infection prevention and control measures are the standard precautions that should be applied to all patients by health care deliveries at all times, regardless of the patient's suspected infection or not.[8] To ensure provision of a safe health service, infection prevention programs should play their role in the reduction of the risk of hospital-acquired infection through their established policies and strategies.[9] In addition, adequate knowledge and effective antitransmission measures, such as taking universal precautions in the handling of blood and other body fluids, are important factors in minimizing the risk of HIV transmission in the health care settings. These might lead to the prevention of its transmission and help in delivering successful care.[5] [10]

Therefore, all health care workers should have adequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its implications, maintain positive attitudes, and should meet professional expectations. This review aimed at reviewing the literature regarding HIV- and AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes among Saudi health professionals and students.


Methods

A literature search was performed using combined keywords in three scientific databases of peer-reviewed publications in the last 10 years (2014 to 2024). The search included Google Scholar using the following search wording: (HIV AIDS knowledge OR attitudes OR belief “Saudi Arabia”); PubMed (Ovid Medline) using the following search wording: (((HIV/AIDS) AND (knowledge)) AND (attitudes)) AND (Saudi Arabia); and Web of Science using the following search wording: (((ALL= (HIV AIDS)) AND ALL= (Knowledge and Attitude)) AND ALL= (Saudi)) NOT ALL= (population). The inclusion criteria were the following: open access, published in the English language, and Saudi health professionals or students as study population. The author excluded duplicates and studies that were not available as open access for full article.


Search Findings

The initial search for articles identified 78 studies ([Fig. 1]). This included results from the listed databases searched. The abstracts of all 78 results were reviewed manually to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. Among all these, 39 (50%) studies did not qualify because they did not concern the population of interest. Among the qualified studies, duplicated studies (18) were identified and excluded, and one study was excluded, as it was not an open access. Ultimately, 19 studies were finally included in the review. [Table 1] depicts the characteristics of the 19 included studies in the chronological order of publication that met the inclusion criteria.

Zoom
Fig. 1 Flowchart of the search process.
Table 1

The main characteristics of the included studies in the chronological order

Study

Design, population, sample size, and sampling technique

Data validity and reliability and statistical analyses

Conclusion

Bamashmous et al[6]

Cross-sectional questionnaire survey-based study

Dental hygienists and assistants practicing in Jeddah (160)

Convenience

Response rate: 80%

Questionnaire: structured

Validity: pilot tested for construct validity

Pearson's correlation

Reliability, Cronbach's α: 92%

Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, independent t-test

S. size equation: Yes

Good general knowledge

Importance of treating and supporting AIDS patients

Recommendations: Future research might explore the significant effects of continuous, targeted HIV education programs

Ahmed[11]

A quantitative cross-sectional survey

Senior-level dentistry and dental hygiene students, currently enrolled in 12 dental and 4 dental hygiene institutes

(468)

Nonprobability voluntary response sampling

Response rate: NOT

Questionnaire: structured

Content validity: peer review

Construct validity: tested via a pilot study

Descriptive statistics, chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, ANOVA

S. size equation: Yes

Incomprehensive, unfamiliar, and lacking in expertise

Inadequate level of comprehension

Recommendations: HIV/AIDS ought not to persist as an unspoken taboo or disregarded subject within the dental field

Alotaibi et al[5]

Cross-sectional

Dental students and interns

(502)

Not mentioned

Response rate: NOT

Questionnaire: adopted

Reliability validity: NOT

Descriptive statistics, unpaired t-test, ANOVA

S. size equation: Not

Good knowledge

Attitude was not good

Recommendations: it is extremely important to conduct HIV-related courses before the clinical training to build sufficient knowledge and attitudes.

Malli et al[12]

Cross-sectional study

Medical interns graduates of five medical colleges practicing in Jeddah

(346)

Nonprobability random sampling

Response rate: NOT

Questionnaire: adopted from a previous study

Validity: pilot tested for content validity

Internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha: 68%

Descriptive statistics, chi-squared, Kruskal–Wallis test

S. size equation: Yes

Insufficient knowledge and stigmatizing behavior

Recommendation: HIV education and training programs should be added, which might have a significant positive impact on their attitude

Alali et al[16]

Cross-sectional

Undergraduate dental students and internship dental students at government and private universities in Saudi Arabia

(405)

Convenience

Response rate: 67%

Questionnaire: adopted from a previous study

Validity: described (experts: piloted)

Descriptive statistics, chi-squared statistic

S. size equation: yes

Negative attitude

Inadequate knowledge and unprofessional attitude

Recommendation: Dental educators and health care planners in Saudi Arabia should plan to promote knowledge and attitudes toward the treatment of HIV patients

Alenezi[15]

Cross-sectional

Mental health nurses, including nurse interns in Riyadh

323/(241)

Convenience

Response rate: 74.4%

Questionnaire: adopted from a previous study

The internal consistency, Cronbach's α: 97%

Descriptive statistics, Student's t-test

S. size equation: yes

Gaps in knowledge

Higher stigmatizing attitudes

Committed acts of discrimination

Recommendation: HIV/AIDS should receive prominence in dental schools and professional development programs

Abiadh et al[10]

Cross-sectional

Dental students and interns, Umm Al-Qura

(216)

Not mentioned

Response rate: 65%

Questionnaire: adopted previous study

Validity mentioned: not explained

Descriptive statistics, independent t-test

S. size equation: not

Acceptable knowledge and favorable attitude

Recommendation: More efforts are required to improve the attitudes of future dentists

Alharbi et al[14]

Cross-sectional

Health care workers, Medina (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory technicians)

(182)

Not mentioned

Response rate: NOT

Questionnaire: adopted previous study

Validity described (experts)

Descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, ANOVA, multiple linear regression

S. size equation: Yes

Stigmatization and discrimination were less prevalent in health care workers who had good HIV-related knowledge and had received in-service training

Recommendation: There is an urgent need to implement a training program

Mostafa et al[17]

Cross-sectional

Dental students and dentists (Jeddah, Riyadh, Almadina, Hail, Dammam, Jazan, and Sakaka)

(461)

Not mentioned

Response rate: NOT

Questionnaire: NOT

Validity: NOT

Descriptive statistics, Student's t-test ANOVA

S. size equation: Not

Lack of knowledge and attitude

Recommendation: More education on AIDS patients is needed

AlQumayzi et al[19]

Cross-sectional

Medical and nonmedical students in Riyadh

(602)

Convenience

Response rate: NOT

Questionnaire: developed

Validity: pretest pilot tested for content validity

Internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha: 48%

Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, correlation coefficient

S. size equation: Yes

Medical and health sciences students scored higher than nonmedical students in terms of knowledge, and lower in the stigma score

Recommendation: Reduce or eliminate stigmatization and a negative attitude by raising awareness about HIV

Ansari et al[18]

Cross-sectional

Dental students in all dental universities in Saudi Arabia

(521)

Census

Response rate: 97%

Questionnaire: adopted from a previous study

Validity: internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha: 86%

Descriptive statistics, chi-squared test

S. size equation: Not

The level of ethical awareness is much better

The behavior was not satisfactory

Recommendations: N/A

Alzahrani et al[20]

Cross-sectional

Health care workers (physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians and dentists)

(372)

Census

Response rate: NOT

Questionnaire: adopted from a previous study

Validity: mentioned; not explained

Descriptive statistics

S. size equation: Not

Insufficient level of knowledge, inappropriate attitudes and inadequate behavior

Recommendation: Health education programs should be adopted

Al-Qahtani et al[23]

Cross-sectional

Dental students and interns three dental institutes at southern and central region of Saudi Arabia

(722)

Not mentioned

Response rate: 91.6%

Questionnaire: designed

Validity: pilot tested for content validity, face and content validity by professionals

Descriptive statistics, chi-squared test

S. size equation: Yes

Lack in the knowledge and average level of attitude

Recommendation: Extensive courses and training program should be implemented in the curriculum

Alawad et al[22]

Cross-sectional

Saudi male medical students of Qassim University

(204)

Convenience

Response rate: 46.68%

Questionnaire: adopted from a previous study

Validity: pilot tested for content validity

Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests, independent sample t-test, Spearman's correlation

S. size equation: Not

Major misconceptions

Negative attitudes

Recommendation: Educational institutions should tailor their educational approach based on the identified gaps

Alshouibi and Alaqil[21]

Cross-sectional

Senior dental students from four dental schools in Jeddah

(400)

Not mentioned

Response rate: 68.5%

Questionnaire: adopted and modified from previous studies

Validity: NOT

Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression

S. size equation: Not

Reluctant to treat

Negative tendency

Stigmatizing

Recommendation: University educators must take greater responsibility to promote more positive attitudes

Kumar et al[24]

Cross-sectional

Dental students of Jazan University

(208)

Census

Response rate: 88.1%

Questionnaire: adopted from a previous study

Validity: pilot tested for content validity

Descriptive statistics, unpaired “t”-test, ANOVA

S. size equation: Not

Knowledge and attitudes are poor

Recommendation: Incorporate information related to the management of HIV/AIDS in dental practice

Alshouibi and AlAlyani[25]

Cross-sectional

General dentists practicing in Jeddah

(430)

Not mentioned

Response rate: 71.7%

Questionnaire: adopted from a previous study

Validity: NOT

Descriptive statistics, chi-squared, binary logistic regression

S. size equation: Not

Discrimination was influenced by dentists' gender, type of practice, and self-protective attitudes

Recommendation: Future research could be directed to prevent factors contributing to developing HIV-related discrimination

Alhamoud et al[26]

Cross-sectional

Saudi surgery trainees

(500)

Convenience

Response rate: NOT

Questionnaire: pretested (no reference)

Reliability and validity: by professionals

Descriptive statistics, chi-squared test

S. size equation: Yes

Knowledge gaps

Negative attitudes

Recommendation: Medical training and social media awareness campaigns

Memish et al[27]

Cross-sectional

Saudi doctors, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Jizan

(1,483)

Proportionally systematic random sample

Response rate: 97%

Questionnaire: adopted from a previous study

Validity: internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha: 82%

Descriptive statistics, Student's t-test (ANOVA), a binary logistic regression model

S. size equation: Yes

Poor knowledge

Stigmatizing attitudes

Recommendation: Further training of health workers on HIV transmission mode


Results and Discussion

Two studies were published in 2024,[6] [11] and two were published in 2023.[12] [13] Four studies were published in 2022,[10] [14] [15] [16] one study in 20201,[17] and two studies in 2020.[18] [19] Four studies were published in 2019,[20] [21] [22] [23] three in 2018,[24] [25] [26] and only one in 2015.[27]

Objective, Study Design, and Study Population

Almost all studies aimed to assess knowledge of their participants including general knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS, safety-related issues such as body fluids and their ability of transmission, modes and routes of transmission, coinfections, the management of needle-stick injury, beside prevention of transmission of HIV infection. Three studies (15.7%) evaluated the participants' knowledge regarding oral manifestations of HIV, oral and periodontal lesions, periodontal manifestations, and periodontal management of patients with HIV.[6] [11] [16] All studies also assessed their participants' HIV-/AIDS-related attitude practice toward PLWHA, which included stigmatizing and discriminating behaviors, and willingness to provide care to HIV patients. Only one study (5%) compared medical with nonmedical groups.[19]

All studies used the cross-sectional design. The selection of the appropriate method to study the research question is the first step in the research process. It is known that cross-sectional designs help determine the proportion of people in a population with a condition or an attribute in a specific period or point of time, regardless of the development of the condition. This shows the suitability of the selected cross-sectional designs concerning the reported aims and objectives.[28]

Eleven studies (58%) focused on dental professionals, including dentists, dental hygienists, interns, and students.[5] [6] [10] [11] [16] [17] [18] [21] [23] [24] [25] Eight studies (42%) were among medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, interns, and students.[12] [14] [15] [20] [22] [26] [27] [29]


Sampling Techniques and Sample Size

Sampling technique is a crucial component of research methodology that guarantees making significant inferences. The most common sampling approach used was convenience sampling by six studies (31.6%).[6] [15] [16] [19] [22] [26] Three studies (15.7%) used census,[18] [20] [24] with exception of two studies (10.5%) that used nonprobability random sampling[11] [12] and one that used proportionally systematic random sampling.[27] Seven studies (36.8%) did not report their sampling techniques.[5] [10] [14] [17] [21] [23] [25] The sampling technique is used to ensure the representativeness of the study population. Two main approaches in sampling used are probability or nonprobability. Convenience sampling is a nonprobabilistic sampling technique commonly employed when obtaining representative samples from the target population is challenging, and it has several limitations mainly in the level of the representativeness. It is more suitable in exploratory studies or pilot projects.[30] The sample size for any epidemiological study is an important component of the process and it is estimated based on some assumptions before the conduction of the study, and it must be an adequate size. A smaller sample size leads to insufficient statistical power to answer the primary research question; a larger sample size provides better representativeness and results that are more accurate. However, beyond a certain point, the increase in accuracy will be small and not worth the effort and expense.[31] Regarding sample size calculation, only 10 studies (52.6%) either explicitly reported (the formula or equation used) or referred to the calculation of the sample size to a previously published study. The sample size ranged between 182 and 1,483. Eight studies (42.1%) did not report their response rates.[5] [11] [12] [14] [17] [19] [20] [26] Studies that reported response rates ranged from 46 to 97%. The response rates to a questionnaire-based research is highly important. The sufficient response rate enables generalizing the results to the target population; hence, low response rates compromise the representativeness of the study population.[32]


Data Collection

All studies reported using a questionnaire for data collection. Thirteen studies (68.4%) used adopted questionnaires from previously published studies.[5] [10] [12] [14] [15] [16] [18] [20] [21] [22] [24] [25] [27] Four studies (21%) used structured questionnaires,[6] [11] [19] [23] while two studies (10.5%) reported using validated questionnaires without a clear explanation or reference to previous studies.[17] [26]

Ensuring the reliability and validity is the most important and fundamental domain in the assessment of any tool used for data collection. Validity is about whether an instrument measures what it intends to measure, whereas reliability is about the repeatability, truthfulness, and degree to which the measuring tool controls random error. An assessment of the data collection methodology is through meticulous assessment of validity and reliability.[33] Four studies (21%) did not mention the descriptions of reliability and validity,[5] [17] [21] [25] while one (5.2%) study reported the use of a validated questionnaire without any clarification of the method used.[10] Eight studies (42.1%) tested for construct validity through piloting their questionnaires.[6] [11] [12] [16] [19] [22] [23] [24] Five studies (26.3%) used field experts' opinion for content validity testing,[11] [14] [16] [23] [26] and only one study (5.2%) used Pearson's correlation for construct validity.[6] Only six studies (31.6%) tested the internal consistency reliability by using Cronbach's alpha, and their reported scores ranged from 48 to 97%.[6] [12] [15] [18] [19] [27]


Data Analyses

Regarding data analyses, at the univariate level, all studies used descriptive statistics as frequencies for categorical variables and mean (±standard deviation [SD]) for numerical ones. At the bivariate level of analyses, the chi-squared test was the mostly commonly used, employed by eight (42.1%) studies.[11] [16] [18] [22] [23] [25] [26] Two studies (10.5%) used Fisher's exact test due to a small sample size.[11] [22] Eight studies (42.1%) applied the analysis of variance (ANOVA).[5] [11] [14] [17] [19] [22] [24] [27] Eight studies (42.1%) reported using Student's t-test.[5] [6] [10] [14] [15] [17] [22] [24] Three studies (15.7%) used the correlation coefficient: Pearson's and Spearman's correlations.[6] [19] [22] Only one (5.2%) study used the Kruskal–Wallis test.[12] Three studies applied multilevel analyses; three studies used binary logistic regression,[21] [25] [27] while one study (5.2%) used linear logistic regression.[14] A confounder is a third independent variable that affects the relationship between variables being studied leading to results that do not reflect the actual relationship between the variables under study. When the research data have no additional strata and there are only one or two confounders, stratified analysis is the best choice for analysis. When the data contain more potential confounders or large grouping, multivariate analysis (multi- and linear regression and analyses of covariance) offers the only solution, which handles large numbers of covariates and also confounders.[34]


Essential Findings

Only three studies (15.7%) reported their participants having good knowledge.[5] [6] [10] This was reported in previous studies as Saudi health care workers showed acceptable knowledge about risks of blood-borne infections.[35] Most of the Egyptian physicians had a moderate knowledge score,[36] while the majority of Malaysian hospital pharmacists were found to be well aware of the causes of HIV/AIDS.[37] Most of the health workers in the Philippines had good knowledge regarding the disease process and its mode of transmission.[38] [39]

All other studies reported major misconceptions, poor knowledge, lack of knowledge, or unsatisfactory knowledge level. This is in accordance with previous studies as one-third of the dental students at King Khalid University had insufficient knowledge,[40] and Saudi paramedical students' misconceptions and lack of knowledge were also reported.[29] In a recent study by Hakami et al, a high proportion of Saudi medical students had misconceptions about HIV transmission and prevention.[41] Indian clinical dental students showed low knowledge.[42] [43] Low level of knowledge was also reported in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.[44]

Almost all studies reported negative attitudes and behaviors such as stigmatizing attitude, reluctance to treat, negative attitude, negative tendency, and committing acts of discrimination. This goes in line with previous studies in which 90.1% of dental students in King Khalid University showed a negative attitude,[40] while a significant percentage of Saudi medical students had stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with HIV.[41] In the Arabian Peninsula countries, a lower proportion (37.6%) of Saudis showed negative attitudes toward HIV/AIDS, while 93 and 70.6% of medical students in Oman and United Arab Emirates, respectively, showed negative attitudes.[45] The majority of Malaysian pharmacists (66.6%) had negative attitudes and approximately 20% held extremely negative attitudes.[37] Among the Egyptian physicians, a degree of undesirable attitude and practice was reported.[36] Indian dental students' ethical beliefs about HIV/AIDS were not consistent with the code of ethics, showing negative attitudes that may influence future attitudes.[46]

One-third of dentists from three Arab countries indicated they would refuse to treat HIV patients.[47] In the MENA region negative attitudes were reported, with an inverse correlation between the level of knowledge and negative attitudes.[44] This negative attitude was attributed to sociocultural taboos, indicating a need for targeted intervention.[45]

In contrast, a high willingness to treat HIV patients was reported among Indian clinical dental students.[42] Most of the health workers in the Philippines had a positive attitude and acceptance toward PLWHA.[38] [39]

The results showed that there is prevailing lack of knowledge and negative attitude among Saudi health professionals and students, which will have its negative impact on the access to health services for PLWHA. A need for intervention is mandatory. Many studies provided evidence of effective methods to tackle this challenge. Regular continuous behavior-based in-service training and reinforcing of infection control prevention measures through a strict policy can ensure up-to-date knowledge and might improve the attitudes of health workers.[6] [35] [44] [45] A positive impact of health education on students' knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS,[48] especially peer education, is an effective approach.[49] In-service training together with undergraduate training associated with knowledge and practice of palliative care for PLWHA is needed.[50]



Conclusion

This review highlighted the importance of continuous evaluation of health professionals'/students' knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS. The review also reflected the still inadequate level of knowledge and unsatisfactory attitudes among Saudi health professionals and students. An important aspect that needs more investigation is the quality of studies reviewed, which showed some weaknesses in the methodological aspects.



Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge the work of the authors of the studies included in the review. Without their hard work, this review would not have been possible.

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  • 36 Farouk M, Hetta HF, Abdelghani M. et al. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) study of Egyptian physicians towards HIV infection: a multicentre study. J Infect Dev Ctries 2024; 18 (07) 1100-1107
  • 37 Khan TM, Baig MR. Hospital pharmacists' knowledge about and attitude toward HIV/AIDS and patients living with HIV/AIDS in Kedah, Malaysia. Arch Med Sci 2013; 9 (06) 1117-1124
  • 38 De Leon WAMG, Caoili JC. Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices among doctors, nurses and other allied health practitioners in Makati Medical Center with regards to the care of patients with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS): a descriptive cross-sectional study. Philipp J Intern Med 2022; 60 (03) 154-161
  • 39 Mosende AG, Lacambra CB, De los Santos JA. Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward HIV/AIDS among health care workers' in urban cities in Leyte Philippines. MJN 2023; 14 (03) 185-193
  • 40 Alsamghan AS. Knowledge and attitude of male dental students toward HIV/AIDS in King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. Int J Public Health Epidemiol 2012; 1 (01) 1-8
  • 41 Hakami EF, Alghamdi AM, Alwayel ZA. et al. Knowledge about HIV and stigmatizing attitudes of medical students in Saudi Arabia towards patients with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional nationwide study. Curr HIV Res 2024; 22 (04) 249-258
  • 42 Shivanna MM, Naik S, Khanagar SB, Divakar DD, Patel II, Al Kheraif AA. Comparison of knowledge, attitude and concern about HIV/AIDS patients among dental students: a cross sectional survey. Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25 (03) 113-120
  • 43 Dhanya RS, Hegde V, Anila S, Sam G, Khajuria RR, Singh R. Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards HIV patients among dentists. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent 2017; 7 (02) 148-153
  • 44 AlSadrah S. The role of stigma in preventing early HIV detection in the Middle East and North Africa. Biosci Res 2021; 18 (04) 2546-2552
  • 45 Aldhaleei WA, Bhagavathula AS. HIV/AIDS-knowledge and attitudes in the Arabian Peninsula: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Infect Public Health 2020; 13 (07) 939-948
  • 46 Khan SA, Liew ML, Omar H. Role of ethical beliefs and attitudes of dental students in providing care for HIV/AIDS patients. Saudi Dent J 2017; 29 (01) 7-14
  • 47 Arheiam A, El Tantawi M, Al-Ansari A. et al. Arab dentists' refusal to treat HIV positive patients: a survey of recently graduated dentists from three Arab dental schools. Acta Odontol Scand 2017; 75 (05) 355-360
  • 48 Al-Mazrou YY, Abouzeid MS, Al-Jeffri MH. Impact of health education on knowledge and attitudes of Saudi paramedical students toward HIV/AIDS. Saudi Med J 2005; 26 (11) 1788-1795
  • 49 Ali MHM, Osman OB, Ibrahim MAM, Ahmed WAM. The effect of AIDS peer health education on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of secondary school students in Khartoum, Sudan. AIMS Public Health 2015; 2 (04) 718-726
  • 50 Ajisegiri WS, Abubakar AA, Gobir AA, Balogun MS, Sabitu K. Palliative care for people living with HIV/AIDS: factors influencing healthcare workers' knowledge, attitude and practice in public health facilities, Abuja, Nigeria. PLoS One 2019; 14 (12) e0207499

Address for correspondence

Elwalid Fadul Nasir, PhD
Preventive Dental Sciences Department, College of Dentistry, King Faisal University
Saudi Arabia   

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
24. April 2025

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  • 36 Farouk M, Hetta HF, Abdelghani M. et al. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) study of Egyptian physicians towards HIV infection: a multicentre study. J Infect Dev Ctries 2024; 18 (07) 1100-1107
  • 37 Khan TM, Baig MR. Hospital pharmacists' knowledge about and attitude toward HIV/AIDS and patients living with HIV/AIDS in Kedah, Malaysia. Arch Med Sci 2013; 9 (06) 1117-1124
  • 38 De Leon WAMG, Caoili JC. Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices among doctors, nurses and other allied health practitioners in Makati Medical Center with regards to the care of patients with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS): a descriptive cross-sectional study. Philipp J Intern Med 2022; 60 (03) 154-161
  • 39 Mosende AG, Lacambra CB, De los Santos JA. Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward HIV/AIDS among health care workers' in urban cities in Leyte Philippines. MJN 2023; 14 (03) 185-193
  • 40 Alsamghan AS. Knowledge and attitude of male dental students toward HIV/AIDS in King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. Int J Public Health Epidemiol 2012; 1 (01) 1-8
  • 41 Hakami EF, Alghamdi AM, Alwayel ZA. et al. Knowledge about HIV and stigmatizing attitudes of medical students in Saudi Arabia towards patients with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional nationwide study. Curr HIV Res 2024; 22 (04) 249-258
  • 42 Shivanna MM, Naik S, Khanagar SB, Divakar DD, Patel II, Al Kheraif AA. Comparison of knowledge, attitude and concern about HIV/AIDS patients among dental students: a cross sectional survey. Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25 (03) 113-120
  • 43 Dhanya RS, Hegde V, Anila S, Sam G, Khajuria RR, Singh R. Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards HIV patients among dentists. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent 2017; 7 (02) 148-153
  • 44 AlSadrah S. The role of stigma in preventing early HIV detection in the Middle East and North Africa. Biosci Res 2021; 18 (04) 2546-2552
  • 45 Aldhaleei WA, Bhagavathula AS. HIV/AIDS-knowledge and attitudes in the Arabian Peninsula: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Infect Public Health 2020; 13 (07) 939-948
  • 46 Khan SA, Liew ML, Omar H. Role of ethical beliefs and attitudes of dental students in providing care for HIV/AIDS patients. Saudi Dent J 2017; 29 (01) 7-14
  • 47 Arheiam A, El Tantawi M, Al-Ansari A. et al. Arab dentists' refusal to treat HIV positive patients: a survey of recently graduated dentists from three Arab dental schools. Acta Odontol Scand 2017; 75 (05) 355-360
  • 48 Al-Mazrou YY, Abouzeid MS, Al-Jeffri MH. Impact of health education on knowledge and attitudes of Saudi paramedical students toward HIV/AIDS. Saudi Med J 2005; 26 (11) 1788-1795
  • 49 Ali MHM, Osman OB, Ibrahim MAM, Ahmed WAM. The effect of AIDS peer health education on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of secondary school students in Khartoum, Sudan. AIMS Public Health 2015; 2 (04) 718-726
  • 50 Ajisegiri WS, Abubakar AA, Gobir AA, Balogun MS, Sabitu K. Palliative care for people living with HIV/AIDS: factors influencing healthcare workers' knowledge, attitude and practice in public health facilities, Abuja, Nigeria. PLoS One 2019; 14 (12) e0207499

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Fig. 1 Flowchart of the search process.