HIV/AIDS awareness among Iraqi medical and dental students

Abstract

Objectives:The present study investigated the awareness of HIV/AIDS among medical and dental students in four provinces of Iraq, a country with low HIV/AIDS frequency.Materials and Methods:In the present study, the target population was all Iraqi medical and dental students who were in 3rd and 4th year of their education. Out of 15 medicine and 10 dentistry faculties in Iraq, 4 medical and dental faculties were randomly selected. All the students under them were invited to participate in the study (600 students) and 526 responses were received from them. We distributed the questionnaires to students during their obligatory lectures in the academic year 2012–2013. Data collection was done with a self-administered questionnaire containing knowledge and attitude questions (11 questions for each part) in addition to some demographic questions.Results:A total of 526 questionnaires were received (from 319 medical students and 207 dental students). Knowledge of about half of the medical students (54%) was at an intermediate level and of 27.1% students was at a good level; more than half of the dental students (68.2%) had an intermediate level and 10.5% had a good level of knowledge. The level of attitude of medical students was 14.7% at an intermediate level and of dentistry students was 21.4% at an intermediate level. Attitude of none of the students was at good level. Knowledge and attitude scores were not significantly associated with age, gender, or marital status. However, medical students had better knowledge and attitude toward HIV/AIDS, compared to dental students.Conclusions:Some coefficients exist in knowledge and attitude of Iraqi medical and dental students toward HIV/AIDS. Results indicate that more emphasis should be placed on educating dental and medical students about HIV and other blood-borne infections.

Evaluation of dental students’ knowledge and patient care towards HIV/AIDS individuals

“…14 As to dentists may be more prone to be exposed to cross-infection, the reported percentages (89% of pre-clinical and 93.3% of clinical students) are aligned with those reported in the literature. 13,15 The positive response (20% and 16.8%, respectively to the student' group) on saliva as being a possible mean to transmit HIV reported in the present study is in agreement with that observed by Ellepola et al (6% and 24%). 16 23 However, other studies have shown that most of the assessed dental students believed that handpiece aerosols can transmit HIV.…”

“…16 23 However, other studies have shown that most of the assessed dental students believed that handpiece aerosols can transmit HIV. 5,13,15 Regarding the heterogeneity in the answers obtained on The present study had a non-response rate of 59.4%. This nonresponse rate was higher than the one expected in electronic surveys.…”

“…These results are similar to those described in other studies. [13][14][15][16] However, a low percentage for this question was reported by Aggarwal and Panat, 5 which may indicate that the participants in that study are relatively less aware of the risks of transmission of the disease. In addition, the data presented here demonstrated that over 90% of the participants are worried about being infected with needle stick injury and would be willing to be tested for HIV after the accident.…”

“…Likewise, answers to questions about HIV testing have also shown that there are issues that students need further enlightenment as demonstrated in other studies [13][14][15]. Further clarifications on these subjects are indicated in order to complete the education towards the correct management of the patients with HIV/AIDS.…”

Level of Knowledge Regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Among Health-Care Students of Selected Colleges in Chennai

“…Hamid Albujeer et al [7] in their study among Iraqi medical and dental students' knowledge about HIV/AIDS awareness, said that Knowledge of about half of the medical students (54%) was at an intermediate level and of 27.1% students was at a good level; more than half of the dental students (68.2%) had an intermediate level, and 10.5% had a good level of knowledge. …”