HIV and sexual health knowledge among undergraduate medical students was incomplete, with awareness of PrEP, PEP, and U=U each below 50%, and HIV stigma persisting, with knowledge significantly associated with prior sexual health education.
Approximately half of undergraduate medical students reported comprehensive HIV knowledge, while a substantial portion reported only partial knowledge.
Awareness of key HIV prevention tools and concepts — PrEP, PEP, and U=U — was each below 50% among respondents.
HIV stigma persisted among the student population, with over one-third considering HIV a taboo subject.
Prior sexual health education was significantly associated with better HIV and sexual health knowledge among respondents.
This research surveyed over 1,000 undergraduate medical students in Milan, Italy, during November 2024 to assess how much they knew about HIV, sexual health, and key prevention tools. The survey found that fewer than half of these future doctors had comprehensive HIV knowledge, and awareness of important concepts like PrEP (a pill that prevents HIV infection), PEP (emergency medication taken after potential HIV exposure), and U=U (meaning people with undetectable HIV cannot transmit the virus) was below 50% for each. Additionally, more than one-third of students viewed HIV as a taboo topic, suggesting that stigma around HIV persists even among those training to be healthcare providers. The study also found that students who had received prior sexual health education tended to have better knowledge, suggesting that formal education plays an important role in building awareness. This points to a gap in current medical training, where sexual health topics may not be receiving sufficient emphasis. The findings indicate that medical school curricula may need to dedicate more attention to HIV prevention strategies and to normalizing conversations about sexual health. This research suggests that even among people studying medicine, misconceptions and knowledge gaps about HIV remain common, and that targeted educational interventions during medical training could help future doctors better counsel and care for patients while also reducing the stigma that can prevent people from seeking HIV testing or treatment.
Raccagni A, Abello C, Stabile V, Capra N, Lolatto R, Uslenghi G, et al.. (2025). HIV and Sexual Health Awareness Among University Students: Findings from a World AIDS Day Survey in Milan.. The new microbiologica. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41140231/