HIV awareness among first year MBBS students in a private medical college, Telangana, India

Abstract

Background: Globally, since 1980, 70 million people were infected with HIV virus and 33.3 million people have died of HIV. In Sub-Saharan Africa, largest number of people living with HIV is Asia. In these areas 19 million of the 35 million people living with the virus globally do not know their HIV positive status. The objectives of the study were to know the awareness regarding HIV and its mode of transmission, clinical features and diagnosis of HIV, prevention and vaccine availability of HIV.Methods: Study design: cross sectional study, study area: private medical college, Telangana state, study population- 136 students in the 1st year MBBS. Methodology: The data was collected by a pre designed, pretested and semi structured questionnaire which consisted of, identification data, HIV Awareness, mode of transmission, symptoms and diagnosis, prevention and vaccine availability of HIV. The data was analyzed by using Microsoft Excel.Results: Males and females in the study were 43.38% and 56.6% respectively. Mean age of students was 18.184. 100% of the students heard about HIV, 25% of the students did not know that HIV and AIDS are different stages of the same disease. 98.52% were aware that contaminated needles and syringes as route of transmission, 87.5% were aware about vertical transmission. 93.38% of the students have a correct opinion that avoiding multiple partners’. 80.88% knew that antiretroviral drugs are available. 91.91% knew that the vaccine is not yet available for HIV.Conclusions: There is overall satisfactory level of awareness on routes of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS but knowledge regarding symptoms is less. There were several misconceptions regarding route and Prevention of HIV. Very few knew that immediate medical attention will prevent HIV.

Knowledge and awareness of AIDS among first year students of MBBS, BDS and BPT of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University, Piparia- Vadodara

“…The result are comparable to study conducted by Shridev in in which 91.9%, 99.26%, and 98.52% of total students were aware that indiscriminate sexual relationship, unscreened blood transfusion, and contaminated needles and syringes as the routes of transmission respectively. 10 Another study conducted by Kiran et al also had similar findings in whom, 95.09% were aware of contaminated blood transfusion, 94.12% were aware of infectious sharp instruments, and 84.31% of total students were aware of vertical transfer as a route of HIV infection transmission.…”

“…On the opposing the study conducted at Telangana state of India, 91.10% of students knew that, there is no vaccine available of HIV infection. 10 Low level of awareness in our study is the matter of concern and suggesting of a need of further education of HIV infection and AIDS disease.…”

“…The finding is comparable to finding of study conducted by Shridevi and Kiran et al that all the students aware of HIV and its causative agent. 10,11 Half of students (58.60%) aware of availability of treatment of HIV, on the contrary study conducted by Shridev, 80.88% of total students aware of availability of treatment for the same. 10 Almost, two third of students knowing that AIDS is incurable disease (75.10%) and there is no vaccine available to prevent HIV infection (75.40%) in our study.…”

“…10,11 Half of students (58.60%) aware of availability of treatment of HIV, on the contrary study conducted by Shridev, 80.88% of total students aware of availability of treatment for the same. 10 Almost, two third of students knowing that AIDS is incurable disease (75.10%) and there is no vaccine available to prevent HIV infection (75.40%) in our study. On the opposing the study conducted at Telangana state of India, 91.10% of students knew that, there is no vaccine available of HIV infection.…”

“…9 Simple measures of prevention are use of condoms for unprotected sex, certainly not share needles or other injecting equipment, faithful to your life partner, and always used screened blood. 10 Awareness of HIV/AIDS, positive attitude and appropriate practices to root out causes of infection as essential component of training of doctors and curriculum of medical and paramedical study as they are future doctor of treating this deadliest disease.…”