International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 19, Number 3 > Pp. 178-183

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Original research articles

HIV-related knowledge and stigma among high school students in Libya

Saleh El-Gadi MPH FRCP ^* , Abdulhafid Abudher MRCOG MD  and Mohamed Sammud MPH 

^* Department of Sexual Health, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; National Centre for Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control; National AIDS Programme, Libya

Correspondence to: Dr Saleh El-Gadi Email: saleh.el-gadi{at}homerton.nhs.uk

This study aims to measure indicators of HIV-related stigma among students of high schools in the North West of Libya. The results will be part of baseline data and evaluation of the impact of successive interventions. Understanding the behaviour of risk groups in a society, such as young people, is essential in order to draw effective prevention strategies. Behavioural surveillance surveys have been shown to make an important and useful contribution to informing the response to HIV. This study was part of a large Knowledge, Attitude, Beliefs and Practice survey. A self-administrated questionnaire method was used. The response rates were high (83–92%). Despite high level of stigma shown by both boys and girls in the study, 91% of students supported providing free care to HIV infected individuals. The HIV intervention programmes for young people should operate within a comprehensive strategy to combat HIV/AIDS. The stigmatizing and the discriminatory perceptions of HIV infected individuals should be addressed as part of the education campaign.

Key Words: stigma • HIV/AIDS • young people • Libya • schools

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