Publication:

A comparative study on HIV/AIDS awareness among medical and non-medical students of Gujarat

Background The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a modern pandemic affecting industrialized and developing countries. Around half of the new cases of HIV occur in individuals beneath 25 years of age. Present study was carried out to assess the knowledge and sensitization levels of 1st year college- students about basics of HIV/AIDS, prevention, support, treatment, their perceptions of programmatic services and stigma/discrimination pertaining to HIV/ AIDS.

Methods One hundred medical students of SBKS MIRC, Sumandeep Vidhyapeeth and one hundred non-medical students of Sanskar education trust were interviewed with the help of pre-designed questionnaire to know and compare the awareness of HIV/AIDS among students.

Results Correct knowledge of treatment, curability and vaccine of HIV was only with 85%, 40% and 55% among medical students and 66%, 24% and 48% among non-medical students respectively. Correct knowledge about route of transmission of HIV was higher in medical students compare to non-medical students and this Knowledge difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusions The outcomes underline that there is a need of education programs in the school and adolescent period in the nation so that risk groups will be appropriately educated about this deadly disease.