Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among Turkish clinical medical and dental students

Objectives Despite advances in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, persistent knowledge gaps and stigmatizing attitudes among healthcare trainees emphasize the need for early educational interventions to promote ethical and non-discriminatory care for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study aimed to assess and compare HIV-related knowledge and attitudes among clinical medical and dental students. Methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among clinical-level students at a public university in Türkiye. Participants included fourth- to sixth-year medical students and fourth- to fifth-year dental students. The questionnaire assessed general HIV/AIDS knowledge, transmission routes, post-exposure prophylaxis and attitudes toward PLWHA. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, Mann–Whitney U test and chi-square tests. Results Of 528 eligible students, 504 completed the survey (260 medical, 244 dental). Medical students scored significantly higher than dental students across all knowledge domains (p < 0.001) and demonstrated more positive attitudes (p < 0.001). However, both groups' overall knowledge levels were categorized as “weak,” and their attitudes remained “negative.” Common misconceptions included limited awareness of the “Undetectable = Untransmittable” principle, with only 11.5% of all students answering this item correctly, and false beliefs about transmission via casual contact, saliva, or shared utensils. Conclusions While medical students performed better, widespread deficiencies and stigmatizing beliefs across both groups indicate a need for curriculum reform. HIV-related education should integrate biomedical content with ethical reasoning, stigma reduction, and patient-centred approaches. Early, experiential learning may help foster more informed and inclusive attitudes among future healthcare professionals.