Objective To investigate the awareness of AIDS-related knowledge among college students

so as to provide evidence for developing AIDS health education programs.Methods By stratified random sampling

581full-time undergraduate students from a Chinese medicine university were surveyed with an anonymous self-administered questionnaire.Data were collected and analyzed.Results A total of 455

445 and 464students were found to be aware of AIDS-related knowledge

basic knowledge

and transmission route knowledge with an awareness rate of 78.3%

76.6% and 79.9%

respectively.In terms of AIDS basic knowledge

the awareness rates of " HIV invades the human immune system"

"people who look healthy may carry HIV"

" AIDS is preventable"

"preventing AIDS is considered a social responsibility" and " HIV testing must be done in a qualified hospital or a center for disease control and prevention" were relatively high（90.4%

89.7%

83.1%

92.6% and 94.7%

respectively）;while those of " HIV infections have been found in all provinces

municipalities and autonomous regions across China"

" World AIDS Day" and " a vaccine against HIV is not yet available" were relatively low（41.7%

59.2% and 66.8%

respectively）.In terms of AIDS transmission route knowledge

the awareness rates of "person may get HIV due to transfusion of contaminated blood"

"correct use of condoms reduces the risk for HIV infection" and "a HIV-positive mother may pass the virus to her baby" were relatively high（94.0%

90.0%and 92.9%

respectively）;while those of " mosquitoes cannot transmit HIV" and " HIV cannot be spread by sharing washing facilities

swimming pools or toilet seats" were relatively low（40.3% and 55.6%

respectively）.The awareness rate varied significantly by gender

grade

major and family location（urban versus rural areas）（all P<0.05）.Conclusion College students generally have an incomplete knowledge about AIDS

and thus relevant health education is warranted to improve their awareness of AIDS-related knowledge.