Publication:

Awareness of HIV/AIDS infection and ethical concerns amongst dentistry students and auxiliary staff in a hospital setup in Kashmir, India

Background Human immuno virus infection/ acquired immuno deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) continues to be a major public health issue. HIV/ AIDS may particularly manifest in the oral cavity in the form of oral candidiasis, oral ulcers, non-tender bilateral swelling of the parotid glands and nodular tumours or Kaposi’s sarcomas. These oral manifestations are often among the first symptoms of HIV/AIDS which can prove beneficial in the early detection of the disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the awareness of HIV/AIDS infection and related ethical concerns amongst dentistry students and auxiliary staff in a hospital setup in Kashmir.

Methods This cross sectional survey was conducted among 213 dental health care personnel, which included 34 third year BDS students, 35 Final year BDS Students, 106 Inters and 38 Dental Auxiliary staff comprising of nursing staff and lab technicians. A self-administered questionnaire/ survey instrument consisting of 15 close-ended structured questions to assess knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS was administered.

Results The results showed that 70.96% of 3rd year BDS students, 75.75% of Final year BDS students, 71.15% of Interns and 42.10% of dental auxiliaries had knowledge about HIV infection.

Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that there is a need of spreading awareness about AIDS among health care provider’s including dentists and auxiliary staff for clearing the misconceptions and beliefs regarding the routes of transmission of HIV/ AIDS with the help of CDE/CME Programs and also revising the present syllabus in the curriculum during professional training of Dental graduates and auxiliary staff.