MEDICA (International Medical Scientific Journal)
Vol. 8 No. 6 (2026): MEDICA (International Medical Scientific Journal)

Association between Knowledge, Preventive Attitudes, and HIV/AIDS Preventive Behaviors Among High School Students

Dolfinus Yufu Bouway (Faculty of Public Health, Cendrawasih University, Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia)
Fathu Rahmah Azizah (Faculty of Public Health, Cendrawasih University, Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia)
Inriyanti Assa (Faculty of Public Health, Cendrawasih University, Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia)
Katarina Lodia Tuturop (Faculty of Public Health, Cendrawasih University, Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia)
Agustina Regina Yufuai (Faculty of Public Health, Cendrawasih University, Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

HIV/AIDS remains a major global health problem, particularly among adolescents who are vulnerable to risky behaviors. This study aimed to analyze the association between HIV/AIDS knowledge, preventive attitudes, and HIV/AIDS preventive behaviors among high school students in Jayapura City. A quantitative cross-sectional design was conducted in 17 high schools in Jayapura City from September to October 2025 involving 540 students selected as respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire distributed through Google Forms and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman Rank correlation test with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results showed that most respondents had good HIV/AIDS knowledge (85.6%) and positive preventive attitudes (78.9%), while 65.2% demonstrated good prevention efforts. The Spearman Rank test indicated a significant but weak positive relationship between HIV/AIDS knowledge and prevention efforts (r = 0.230; p = 0.000), and a moderate positive relationship between preventive attitudes and prevention efforts (r = 0.403; p = 0.000). In conclusion, both HIV/AIDS knowledge and preventive attitudes are significantly associated with prevention efforts among high school students in Jayapura City, with preventive attitudes showing a stronger relationship than knowledge, and strengthening school-based HIV/AIDS education programs is recommended to improve adolescent preventive behaviors. This study is limited by its cross-sectional design, which precludes causal inference, and its reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to social desirability bias.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

medica

Publisher

Subject

Chemistry Dentistry Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health Veterinary

Description

MEDICA (International Medical Scientific Journal), with registered number ISSN 2622-6596 (Print), 2622-660X (Online) is an Open Access and peer-reviewed journal presenting timely research on all aspects of health that other media have not published. Managed by the Borneo Scientific Publishing, ...