Elwalid Fadul Nasir
European Journal of General Dentistry - 2026;15(1):13-20
Human immunode ficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the immune system of the body, while acquired immunode ficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease. It has been reported that 9 out of every 10 cases in Saudi Arabiaremain undiagnosed. All health care staff are at risk of HIV infection with the increasingnumbers of HIV-positive patients. This stud y reviewed the literature on HIV- and AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes among Saudi health professionals and students. Aliterature search using combined keywords was performed in three scienti ficd a t a b a s e s 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 unsatisfac-tory level of knowledge, negative attitudes, and behaviors. The most commonly usedsampling 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 ef ficient and effective ways of spreading HIV/AIDS awareness and increasing health workers 'knowledge through in-service training might enhance their perceived con fidence and thus their willingness and attitudes toward treating such patients.
