A Study to Assess the Level of Awareness,Knowledge and Attitude in Medical,Nursing and Paramedical students about HIV and AIDS in tertiary care Hospital of Uttarakhand , India

Background: HIV/ AIDS pandemic has became one of the most important public health  problem. There is an acknowledged burden of HIV/AIDS in India. As the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection rises, health care professionals worldwide can expect more clinical exposure to infected patients. Exposure to blood-borne diseases during clinical training by medical, nursing and paramedical students raises medical, legal, ethical and professional issues. Students are at greater risk of acquiring  blood-borne disease exposure, as they are not aware. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the level of awareness , knowledge and attitude  of  medical , nursing and paramedical students  regarding  HIV/AIDS.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 350   medical, nursing and paramedical  students .  An anonymous, self–administered questionnaire eliciting information about the etiopathogenesis of the disease, mode of transmission, precautions to be taken in handling HIV/AIDS patients, disinfection  procedures and attitude towards the people with HIV/AIDS was circulated. Data entry and analysis were carried out using MS excel 2016.Results: The response analyses showed that majority of students were aware of the etiopathogenesis, mode of transmission , precautions and treatment of  HIV/AIDS. Few  students  (10%) knew how the virus could be deactivated and the types of high-level disinfectant agents used. Most of them knew the correct methods for collection and transportation of blood samples. Majority of them  were not aware of the exact management and notification of accidental exposure.  Students willing to work with HIV/AIDS patients was very less  (1%) but increased to (59%) if proper training was given and they are promised  for   insurance coverage or adequate compensation in case of acquiring infection. Most of the students (72%) were aware of the ‘universal precautions”. All students were aware of the concept of safe sex.Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for a training programme in “universal precautions” for medical , nursing and paramedical students   to help in reducing  the risk of transmission and to improve knowledge, skill and competency in treating HIV/AIDS patients