IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS) e-ISSN: 2320–1959.p- ISSN: 2320–1940 Volume 9, Issue 4 Ser. VII (Jul. – Aug. 2020), PP 26-33 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/1959-0904072633 www.iosrjournals.org 26 | Page Knowledge and Attitude towards HIV/AIDS among Students of Selected Schools of Mahottari District, Nepal Mamata Sharma Neupane 1 , Kalpana Sharma 2 , Archana Pandey Bista 3 1 MPH,Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Chitwan Medical College, Nepal 2 PhD in Nursing, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Chitwan Medical College, Nepal 3 PhD in Nursing, Associate Professor, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu Corresponding Author: Dr.Kalpana Sharma Abstract Background:Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is one of the most challenging health problems worldwide and teenagers are the most vulnerable group about it. Inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes towards HIV/AIDS are the key obstacles for the HIV/AIDs prevention and control. This study aimed to find out knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS among secondary level students. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey was carried out among students studying in grade 8, 9 and 10 of three schools of Mahottarai district. A total 134 students were selected purposively from the selected schools. Data was collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire and analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results:The findings of the study revealed that 48.5% of students had adequate level of knowledge and 46.5% had positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Students’ knowledge was higher on communicable nature of disease (93.3%), risk group as people with multiple sex partners (82.1%), fever (76.9%), and weight loss(85.5%) as common symptoms, common mode of transmission through sexual contacts (89.6%), On preventive measures, majorities had knowledge about use of condom during sexual intercourse (79.1%), blood test before marriage (79.9%), avoiding multiple sex partners (70.9%). However, only 29.9% have knowledge that HIV infection cannot be prevented through vaccination. In addition, misconceptions and discriminatory attitudes were also observed among the students. Conclusion: Still more than half of the students have inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Therefore, there is need to reinforce sex education in schools to enhance knowledge, safe practices and positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Key-words: Knowledge, Attitude, HIV/AIDS, Students --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 15-07-2020 Date of Acceptance: 30-07-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction The Human Immune Deficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS) has become the most devastating disease and the most complex health problems of the 21 st century mankind has ever faced. 1,2 It affects all body systems as well as the mental health and social relationships of carriers. 3 Since 1981 when the first cases of AIDS were reported in the United States, HIV/AIDS infection has spread rapidly to many countries over the years and became a global health challenge. 4 HIV continues to be the major global public health issue having claimed 37.9 million people until the end of 2018 whereas 1.7 million people became newly infected with HIV until 2018. 5 In 2018 alone, 510,000 young people between the ages of 10 to 24 were newly infected with HIV, of whom 190,000 were adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19. 6 The HIV affects all nations and Nepal is no exception. First case of AIDS was reported in 1988AD in Nepal. 7 Though, Nepal is considered as a “lowincidence” country in terms of HIV infection, recent data suggest that HIV/STIs infections have increased significantly in the last five years especially among active sex trades, low levels of condom users, intravenous drug users and substantial male labor migration. 8,9 HIV/AIDSspreads fastest where there is poverty, powerlessness, and social instability. 5 Nepal is home to approximately 50,200 people living with HIV and four out of every five infections have occurred through sexual transmission. In addition, injectable drug users, third gender, female sex workers, and seasonal labor migrants arealso higher risk groups for HIV. 10,11 Most people become sexually active in adolescence and get involved in sexual practices. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS is one of the fundamental bases in fighting against the diseases and powerful means of promoting positive attitudes and safe practices. Inadequate knowledge may lead to risky behaviors and stigma