Abstract

Globally, HIV-related deaths have fallen, most likely due to the intervention of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral
Therapy (HAART). New HIV infections have fallen by about 35% since 2016, with approximately 180 000 newly
infected in 2021, compared to approximately 270 000 in 2016. The study assessed knowledge, attitude, and
practices on HIV/AIDS patient care among clinical medical students at Kampala International University
Teaching Hospital (KIUTH). Using a questionnaire as a method of data collection, the descriptive study design
included both male and female participants from a population of 322 people. The study showed that there was
good knowledge of students on HIV patient care, as all the students knew how HIV is diagnosed at an odds ratio
of 1.0 (0.5–4.22) and a p-value of 0.05, although 127 (70.6%) of those who had never taken care of people living
with HIV didn’t know different HIV ART combinations. The study also showed good student attitudes towards
HIV patient care, in which most students were willing to stay near HIV patients and treat them at an odds ratio of
0.7 (0.022–8.05) and a p-value of 0.444, but poor practices, in which only 142 (44.1%) had cared for HIV and 61.7%
had never counselled HIV patients at an odds ratio of 1.5 (0.75-7.78) and a p-value of 024. In conclusion, the
majority of the participants had knowledge, attitude, and practice of HIV patient care among clinical medical
students. The study recommends that medical students should be given health education about patient care so as
to increase their knowledge and capacity to look after patients. The study recommends that the government
decentralise HIV services to low-level health centres so as to bring services closer to people. The study also
recommends that there should be outreach to communities to do voluntary testing and counselling for the
population to know the people who could be HIV positive but are not yet tested.
Keywords: Assessment, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, HIV/AIDS Patient, Clinical students