Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding long-acting antiretroviral therapy (LA-ART) among HIV/AIDS patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Infection Center of Beijing Youan Hospital between December 2024 and May 2025. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographic variables and KAP-related items. A total of 919 questionnaires were collected; after excluding 93 responses (declined consent, abnormal height/weight entries, failed logic-check questions, and uniform responses), 826 valid questionnaires were included in the final analysis, yielding a valid response rate of 89.88%. Most participants resided in urban areas (62.0%) and were currently employed (72.0%), with over half (52.9%) holding an associate or bachelor’s degree. Their knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 14.38 ± 5.52 (possible range: 0–36), 39.71 ± 4.36 (possible range: 12–60), and 22.29 ± 2.99 (possible range: 9–27), respectively. The structural equation modeling results showed that knowledge had direct effects on attitude (β = 0.427, P = 0.016) and practice (β = 0.132, P = 0.003). Meanwhile, attitude had a direct impact on practice (β = 0.460, P = 0.034). Furthermore, knowledge indirectly affected practice through attitude (β = 0.197, P = 0.014). HIV/AIDS patients demonstrated insufficient knowledge, a generally neutral attitude, yet reported positive practices regarding LA-ART. Future clinical interventions should prioritize structured, evidence-based educational programs to enhance patient understanding and shift attitudes.
Data availability
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.
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Funding
1). ZLRK202532. 2). BRWEP2024W042180104.
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Meixin Ren, Junyi Duan, Tao Huang, and Guanghui Zhang participated in its design，carried out the studies, and participated in collecting data. Meixin Ren, Lin Jia and Taiyi Jiang performed the statistical analysis. All authors participated in acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data and draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Beijing Youan Hospital (LL-2024-150-K). All participants were informed about the study protocol and provided written informed consent to participate in the study. I confirm that all methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines. All procedures were performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.
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Ren, M., Duan, J., Huang, T. et al. Knowledge attitudes and practices towards long-acting antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44035-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44035-0
