Evaluation of HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Stigma among Algerian University Students

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a serious global public health concern. While Algeria is considered a low-prevalence country, existing statistics indicate that HIV incidence is increasing in the last years. This study was conducted to assess the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge and HIV-related stigma in a sample of Algerian university students. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting students living and studying in Algeria between March 7, 2024, and April 13, 2025. Results showed that a mean proportion of 62.4% of correct responses was obtained from a total of 422 students who answered the questionnaire. While students were aware of the major modes of HIV transmission, including sexual intercourse (98.6%), infected needles and syringes (96.2%), and blood transfusion (96.9%), some misconceptions persisted incriminating saliva (73.7%), sharing swimming pools or hot baths (51.9%), kissing (48.3%), sharing dishes (47.4%), and sneezing or coughing (43.6%). High levels of knowledge were observed among Health Sciences students (OR: 7.919, 95% CI: 3.558-17.627, p < 0.001), Natural and Life Sciences students (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 2.329-5.88, p < 0.001), and postgraduates (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.125-4.132, p = 0.022). Stigma was present among more than half of the participants (50.2%) and was negatively correlated to the level of knowledge (OR: 1.595, 95% CI: 1.081-2.354, p = 0.019). Results of the current study suggest the need for targeted educational campaigns to educate students about the less common modes of transmission of HIV that could help to reduce the level of stigma and thus contribute to the battle against this public health threat.