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ANALYSIS OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND STIGMA OF MEDICAL STUDENTS TOWARDS HIV/AIDS PATIENTS

Dr Usama Umair, Dr Nizam ud Din, Dr Ayisha Mahnoor

Abstract: Introduction: In Pakistan it is now classified into concentrated phase of the epidemic because of its high prevalence. Aims and objectives: The study was planned to assess the students' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its transmission and attitudes about related issues such as ethical obligations, infection control regulations, willingness to treat HIV-positive patients, fear of contracting HIV occupationally, and feelings about HIV-positive patients. Material and methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to December 2018 at Health department of Punjab. The survey instrument was a self-administered anonymous questionnaire in the English language. The study included a convenience sample comprising dental students of all basic and clinical year. All the questions were anonymous, participant’s voluntary took part in the study, and consent was taken from them and no incentive was given for completing the survey. The answer to each question about attitude was rated on a five point Likert scale. Results: Out of 200 students who were sent the survey, a total of one ninety three completed the survey. Therefore the respond rate was 96.5% .These participants were from first, second, third, final professional year and house officers. On question (HIV is same as AIDS), majority of students have inadequate knowledge and were not aware of the fact that HIV is same as AIDS. Conclusion: It is concluded that there was insufficient knowledge among first and second year students. Among third, final year students and house officer’s majority of them have sufficient knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS infection but majority of them were not willing to treat HBV/AIDS patients.

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