Knowledge of HIV prevention strategies based on antiretroviral treatment (PrEP and PEP) among medical students

Introduction:
The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the level of knowledge among medical students regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention, with a specific focus on pharmacological strategies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The study also examined the influence of sociodemographic and educational variables on students’ self-assessed and actual knowledge levels.

Material and methods:
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between 2021 and 2024 among 302 students at a Polish medical university. A structured 12-question survey was administered online and in paper form, containing demographic questions, a self-assessment of knowledge, and five factual questions concerning PrEP, PEP, and antiretroviral therapy (ARV). Each question had one correct, one incorrect, and one “I don’t know” answer. The chi-square (χ²) test was used to analyze the associations between knowledge levels and selected variables such as age, gender, place of residence, and prior participation in infection prevention training.

Results:
The study population was predominantly female (82.1%), with most participants aged 18-21 (70.2%). Only 23.5% rated their knowledge as good, 61.3% as average, and 15.2% as poor. Notably, 41.4% did not know what PrEP is, and 79.1% were unaware of the difference in effectiveness between PrEP and PEP. More than half of the students had never received training in HIV prevention. Statistical analysis showed a significant association only between age and self-assessed knowledge (p < 0.05), while gender, residence, and prior training showed no significant influence.

Conclusions:
Medical students’ knowledge regarding HIV prevention remains suboptimal, particularly concerning PrEP and PEP. Age emerged as the only factor significantly associated with knowledge level, indicating a need for early and consistent integration of HIV prevention education into the medical curriculum to ensure preparedness among future healthcare professionals.