Attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among four year medical students at the University of Zagreb Medical School--better in 2002 than in 1993 but still unfavorable.

Fourth-year medical students at Zagreb University School of Medicine were surveyed about their knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS in 2002/03 and this was compared to a student generation studying during 1993/94. Results indicated that the 2002/03 students scored significantly higher then did 1993/94 students on knowledge, and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. However, 84% of 2002/03 students believed that health care workers (HCW) have the right to know the HIV status of their patients, 50% would disclose the HIV status to another HCW against patient's wishes and only 35% believed that HIV testing should be voluntary. The following factors were independently associated with a more favorable attitude towards HIV/AIDS: less homophobia (beta = -0.37, p < 0.001), experience with HIV/AIDS patients (beta = 1.02, p < 0.001), better knowledge about transmission (beta = 0.18, p = 0.016), and 2002/03 academic year (beta = -1.45, p = 0.011). Despite improvements, some negative attitudes towards HIV/AIDS remained prevalent in 2002/03.