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Introduction:The healthcare personnel and people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) need to understand each other for advancement of healthcare delivery system. The attitude of healthcare people contributes a lot to achieve good practices towards the same people who are in deliberate need of support for their living. The aim of this study was to assess the attitude of 600 healthcare students in dental and nursing colleges towards HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV infection (PLHIV), and associate the attitude with demographic data. Material and methods:A quantitative study was carried out to obtain information from 600 healthcare students of six nursing and three dental colleges in Chennai, India to assess the level of attitude regarding HIV and PLHIV. Non-probability convenient sampling technique with simple randomization was used for the selection of samples. Reliability of tool was assessed by test-retest method, as r = 0.7, and content validity was obtained from the experts. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS package version 22.0.Results: Among 600 participants, 53% had negative attitude, 29% had moderately positive attitude, and 18% had positive attitude towards taking care of HIV-infected people. The mean score was 18.91 (range, 0-60) with standard deviation of ±13.07. Their attitude level was significantly associated with the source of information about HIV/AIDS, but not with the other demographic variable such as age, gender, family income, and parents' occupation. Conclusions:Healthcare students are in need of intense teaching program with various methods, which can change their attitude to eliminate the fear and stigma towards HIV/AIDS and taking care of people living with HIV/AIDS.

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Objective: To determine the knowledge and attitude of student nurses about mechanical ventilators (MV) and analyze the impact of a one-week educational program. Methods: Fifty student nurses were included in a one-week training program about MV's fundamental favorable knowledge and attitude in January 2021 at MG nursing Institute, Tamil Nadu, India. Student nurses in critical nursing courses were assessed before an education program. A pre-validated survey questionnaire comprised of knowledge and attitude items was adopted to collect data before and after the training program (post-course assessment). The program adopted a lesson plan and simulation procedures for learning, and it took seven days to complete. Findings: According to the study's findings, 35 (70%) participants (student nurses) were females, and 15 (30%) were males. The pre-test knowledge and attitude were inadequate 74% and 12.64 (25%), respectively. In the post-test, it increased to adequate with 44% and 64%. The mean knowledge score pre-test MV assessment was 8.58 (17%), and the posttest was 19.18 (38%). While their attitude on the pre-test was 12.64 (25%), their post-test score was 32.38 (64%). There was a statistically significant difference between pre and post MV knowledge and attitude among student nurses. Novelty: Students' mean post-knowledge and attitude scores were higher than the pre-test at p<0.05. The findings indicate that the computer-assisted teaching program with simulation was significantly effective in improving the knowledge and attitude of student nurses on the care of mechanical ventilator patients. The study recommended using simulation techniques in the care of mechanical ventilator patients to enhance the knowledge and attitude of nurses and nursing students. https://www.indjst.org/

Introduction: Despite evidence that that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in general poses unprecedented risks, it is unclear to what extent these consequences have affected the mental health of the general population. This study aims to evaluate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general population in Oman and to associate the physical health status and psychological impact. Methods: A cross-sectional online anonymous survey in which 831 adults from Oman’s general population were randomly sampled as per the inclusion criteria. The medical research and ethics commission approved the project. Data were collected after obtaining informed consent from the study participants. The criteria of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders was used to measure the psychological impact. Results: Among 831 respondents in this study, only 4.2 % and 14.9 % of total participants reported depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. There is a statistically significant difference in psychological scores between males and females at the p < .05 level: F (1, 829) = 16.03, p < .001. As a result of this discovery, it appears that women are mentally affected by the pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 epidemic has had a severe impact on the general population’s psychological health in Oman. This survey found that the global health crisis has a psychological impact on most of the adult population, regardless of their age. As a result, early detection, urgent medical intervention, and counseling are required.