INTRODUCTION

In today's era, HIV/AIDS cases are increasing at tremendous pace, accounting to many deaths in the developing countries like India; AIDS is the end stage of HIV infection, which is caused by the HIV virus and is a life-threatening condition. There are two types of patients with HIV infection.1 A section of patients are unaware of their own infection, but the second section of patients hide their disease status because of social stigma. Health care workers (HCWs) including dentists are under risk of contamination as strict protocols are not followed. The HCWs should incorporate a healthy attitude toward persons suffering with HIV infection/AIDS. Therefore, a thorough knowledge, awareness, and behavior play an important role toward the medical and dental care of HIV-infected individuals.

In general, HIV is very rarely transmitted during oral health care treatment.2 Detection of HIV infection is important as lesions are usually seen orally during the first stage of the disease.3 The oral manifestations occur as an outcome of the compromised immune system. The medical and dental care of HIV infection/AIDS patients requires proper understanding of the disease, modes of transmission, oral manifestations, etc. The goal is to improve the quality of patient's life by analyzing, identifying, and improving their health.4 The present study aims to assess the knowledge, awareness, and behavior of medical and dental interns toward HIV infections/AIDS patient encountered during routine medical and dental care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 350 interns participated in the study, out of which 250 dental interns were from People's College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre and People's Dental Academy and 100 medical interns from People's College of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India. A questionnaire containing 25 multiple choice questions, in which the students had to choose only one answer from the provided list of options, was given to the participants. This questionnaire included questions pertaining to knowledge, awareness, and behavior while handling HIV infection/AIDS patients during routine medical/dental care. The students received an explanation of how to fill the questionnaire.

RESULTS

Graph 1 indicates the distribution of number of dental (71.43) and medical interns (28.57) in the study. Few questions pertaining to knowledge are described in Graph 2 with response given by medical and dental interns (Table 1).

Graph 1

Distribution of study subjects

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Graph 2

Percentage of correct responses by dental (n = 250) and medical (n = 100) interns for knowledge questions

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Table 1

Responses by dental (n = 250) and medical (n = 100) interns for knowledge-based questions

QuestionCorrect responsesFisher's exact p-value
Dental interns n (%)Medical interns n (%)Total n (%)
Difference between HIV infection and AIDS220 (88.00)90 (90.00)310 (88.57)0.711 (>0.05), NS
Occupational diseases of dentists206 (82.40)91 (91.00)297 (84.86)0.048 (<0.05), S
Everyone who is exposed to HIV gets infected112 (44.80)65 (65.00)177 (50.57)0.001 (<0.01), S
World AIDS day194 (77.60)81 (81.00)275 (78.57)0.565 (>0.05), NS
Confirmatory test for HIV patient205 (82.00)91 (91.00)296 (84.57)0.035 (<0.05), S
Maximum transmission of HIV180 (72.00)81 (81.00)261 (74.57)0.103 (>0.05), NS
Disposal of needles and syringes97 (38.80)84 (84.00)181 (51.71)0 (<0.001), S
Medical care providers for HIV patients214 (85.60)86 (86.00)300 (85.71)1.000 (>0.05), NS
Preference of disinfection over sterilization95 (38.00)62 (62.00)157 (44.86)0 (<0.001), S
Lesion strongly associated with HIV infection215 (86.00)87 (87.00)302 (86.29)0.865 (>0.05), NS
Management of occupational exposure to HIV212 (84.80)84 (84.00)296 (84.57)0.871 (>0.05), NS
Symptoms of AIDS patient217 (86.80)86 (86.00)303 (86.57)0.863 (>0.05), NS
Recommended medications for HIV patients224 (89.60)95 (95.00)319 (91.14)0.144 (>0.05), NS
S: Significant; NS: Nonsignificant

The knowledge score percentage was 83.05 for medical interns and 76.57 for dental interns as indicated in Graph 3 (Table 2). A total of 206 (82.4%) dental interns and 91 (91%) medical interns responded that syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis B virus are the occupational diseases of dentists. Fisher's exact test showed significantly higher number of medical interns correctly responded than dental interns (p < 0.05); 112 (44.8%) dental interns and 65 (65%) medical interns responded that not everyone who is exposed to HIV gets infected. Fisher's exact test showed significantly higher number of medical interns correctly responded than dental interns (p < 0.01). 224 (89.60%) dental interns and 74 (74%) medical interns responded that key reason for death of a HIV infected patient is infections occurring due to breakdown of immune system. Fisher's exact test showed significantly higher number of dental interns correctly responded than medical interns (p < 0.001) (Table 1 and Graphs 1 and 2).

Graph 3

Mean and SD of percentage knowledge score in dental and medical interns

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Table 2

Comparison of percentage knowledge score between dental and medical interns

Intern groupsPercentage knowledge score
Mean ± SDMedianMin—Max
Dental76.57 ± 17.6784.8038.00—93.20
Medical83.05 ± 11.0486.0052.00—95.00
Mann—Whitney U-test value = 163.00, p = 0.148 (>0.05), nonsignificant

In the study, 138 (55.20%) dental interns responded that there is adequate awareness created in our society about HIV and AIDS. However, 85 (85%) medical interns did not agree with this (Tables 3 and 4). Fisher's exact test showed significant difference between dental and medical interns for the responses (p < 0.001); 145 (58.00%) dental interns and 48 (48.00%) medical interns responded that there is adequate awareness among medical and dental interns in treating HIV patients. Fisher's exact test showed no significant difference between dental and medical interns for the responses (p > 0.05); 233 (93.20%) dental interns and 95 (95.00%) medical interns responded that they follow strict sterilization protocol while handling AIDS patients. Fisher's exact test showed no significant difference between dental and medical interns for the responses (p > 0.05); 230 (92.00%) dental interns and 90 (90.00%) medical interns responded that their institution follows strict sterilization protocol while treating AIDS patients. Fisher's exact test showed no significant difference between dental and medical interns for the responses (p > 0.05) (Graph 4).

Table 3

Responses by dental (n = 250) and medical (n = 100) interns for awareness-based questions

Emotional counseling is helpfulYes198 (79.20)90 (90.00)288 (82.29)0.020 (<0.05), S
No52 (20.80)10 (10.00)62 (17.71)
Occupational exposure risk reduction for health care workersYes219 (87.60)84 (84.00)303 (86.57)0.388 (>0.05), NS
No31 (12.40)16 (16.00)47 (13.43)
Institution follows strict protocol while treating AIDS patientsYes230 (92.00)90 (90.00)320 (91.43)0.532 (>0.05), NS
No20 (8.00)10 (10.00)30 (8.57)
Features of suspected AIDS patient in outpatient departmentYes233 (93.20)91 (91.00)324 (92.57)0.501 (>0.05), NS
No17 (6.80)9 (9.00)26 (7.43)
First test for a suspected AIDS patient before any treatmentYes123 (49.20)52 (52.00)175 (50.00)0.638 (>0.05), NS
No27 (50.80)48 (48.00)175 (50.00)
Medical care providers for HIV patientsYes214 (85.60)86 (86.00)300 (85.71)1.000 (>0.05), NS
No36 (14.40)14 (14.00)50 (14.29)
Key reason for death of a HIV infected patientYes224 (89.60)74 (74.00)298 (85.14)0 (<0.001), S
No26 (10.40)26 (26.00)52 (14.86)
S: Significant; NS: Nonsignificant
Table 4

Comparison of percentage awareness score between dental and medical interns

Intern groupsMean ± SDWilcoxon signed rank test p-value
Dental82.34 ± 15.330.612
Medical81.00 ± 14.05
(>0.05) Nonsignificant
Graph 4

Percentage of correct responses by dental (n = 250) and medical (n = 100) interns for awareness questions

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Statistical Analysis

Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2016. Responses by interns were dichotomized as correct responses and wrong responses. Frequencies, percentages, mean, SD, minimum and maximum values of responses were calculated. To compare responses of dental and medical interns, Fisher's exact test was applied. To calculate knowledge score for 12 knowledge-based questions, correct response was given score 1, whereas wrong as well as no responses were given score 0. To facilitate the comparison, scores were converted into percentages. Shapiro—Wilk test showed that percentage knowledge scores did not follow normal distribution. Hence, Mann—Whitney U-test (nonparametric test) was used for comparison of knowledge scores between dental and medical interns. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the awareness and behavior scores of dental and medical interns; p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data analyses were performed using version 21.0 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM Corporation, Armonk, New York, USA).

Mean and SD of percentage knowledge score for dental interns was 76.57 ± 17.67 and for medical interns was 83.05 ± 11.04 (Table 2). Median of percentage knowledge score was 84.80 and 86.00 for dental and medical interns respectively. The minimum and maximum percentage scores for dental interns were 38.00 to 93.20 and for medical interns were 52.00 to 95.00 (Graph 5). Mann—Whitney U-test showed no significant difference between dental and medical interns for knowledge scores percentage (p > 0.05).

Graph 5

Percentage of correct responses by dental (n = 250) and medical (n = 100) interns for health behavior questions

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The awareness score between the dental and medical interns showed that dental interns (82.34) showed slightly better awareness to the HIV patients than medical interns (81.00). Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used. It was not statistically significant (Tables 3, 4 and Graph 4).

When the scores were compared between the dental and medical interns, the medical interns showed a higher score (85.4) compared with the dental interns (76.80). Wilcoxon signed rank test was used and was statistically significant (Tables 5, 6 and Graph 5).

Table 5

Responses by dental (n = 250) and medical (n = 100) interns for behavior-based questions

Necessity of nutritional counselingYes193 (77.20)89 (89.00)282 (80.57)0 (<0.001), S
No57 (22.80)11 (11.00)68 (19.43)
Attitude of medical and dental professionals while treating AIDS patientsYes212 (84.80)89 (89.00)301 (86.00)0.394 (>0.05), NS
No38 (15.20)11 (11.00)49 (14.0)
Following strict sterilization protocol while handling AIDS patientsYes233 (93.20)95 (95.00)328 (93.71)0.632 (>0.05), NS
No17 (6.8)5 (5.00)22 (6.29)
Refusal by hospital employees or health care workers to care for HIV personYes227 (90.80)92 (92.00)319 (91.14)0.837 (>0.05), NS
No23 (9.20)8 (8.00)31 (8.86)
Preference of disinfection over sterilizationYes95 (38.00)62 (62.00)157 (44.86)0 (<0.001), S
No155 (62.00)38 (38.00)193 (55.14)
S: Significant; NS: Nonsignificant
Table 6

Comparison of percentage behavior score between dental and medical interns

Intern groupsMean ± SDWilcoxon signed ranks test p-value
Dental76.80 ± 13.30.043
Medical85.40 ± 22.55
(<0.05) Significant

DISCUSSION

Our study about the responsiveness on knowledge, awareness, and behavior about medical and dental care in HIV infection/AIDS patients shows that majority of students have adequate knowledge regarding the modes of transmission and regarding sterilization protocols. Medical interns, when compared with dental interns, did not agree that adequate awareness has been created in our society regarding HIV/AIDS. Mukhopadhyay et al5 in a survey on college students observed that <60% had satisfactory knowledge on AIDS. Knowledge is an important factor that may be related to behavioral change.4 Educational programs designed to increase knowledge will have an effect on behavior and will prevent the spread of HIV infection.6 Student's attitude toward HIV-infected individuals is variable. Their attitude can be changed over a period of time by proper education and sensitization about HIV infection/AIDS. Further emphasis needs to be given through workshops and seminars. Anuradha and Lakshmi6 in a study showed that, out of total of 144 students from 1st year, i.e., 100 from medical and 44 from dental courses, 93.75% of students knew that it is transmitted through unprotected sex, 91.6% knew that it may spread by blood transfusion, 77% knew about vertical transmission from mother to fetus, and 84.7% had the knowledge about spread through infected IV needle and drug abuse. The majority of students (67.3%) knew the meaning and abbreviations of HIV/AIDS. A large number of students (93.75%) were aware of the mode of transmission through unprotected sex. In a study conducted by Albujeer et al7 in 600 students, he found that the knowledge of about half of the medical students (54%) was at an intermediate level and of 27.1% students was at a good level; more than half of the dental students (68.2%) had an intermediate level and 10.5% had a good level of knowledge. The level of attitude of medical students was 14.7% at an intermediate level and of dentistry students was 21.4% at an intermediate level. Precaution while dealing with HIV infection/AIDS patients is also a matter of concern. In a study carried out by Al-Naimi and Al-Saygh,8 it was seen that 90% of the students were using all three types of barrier techniques.

The awareness score between the dental and medical interns showed that dental interns (82.34) showed slightly better awareness to the HIV patients than medical interns (81.00). This was not statistically significant. This showed that both groups of interns had good awareness regarding the protocols of treatment; 90 (90%) medical students said that emotional counseling is helpful when compared with 198 (79.2%) of dental interns. Both groups of interns believed that their institution follows proper sterilization protocols. Dental health staff are exposed to infectious agents during work, especially when proper barrier precautions are not followed.9 When the behavior scores were compared between the dental and medical interns, the medical interns showed a higher score (85.4) compared with the dental interns (76.80) (Table 5). This was statistically significant (Tables 5 and 6). Both groups of interns were of the opinion that HIV patients can be refused treatment in certain conditions. More number of medical interns (62%) preferred disinfection over sterilization than dental interns (38%). More medical interns said that nutritional counseling is essential compared with the dental interns (Graph 5).

Health care professionals play a crucial role in prevention and control of HIV infection/AIDS, and it is necessary to assess knowledge and behavior of health care professionals for overcoming ignorance and spreading awareness.10 Appropriate training can expedite learning of affirmative behaviors and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS patients among medical/dental students. This study necessitates the need for a more thorough assessment of student's knowledge, awareness, and behavior among the student groups.

CONCLUSION

The cross-sectional survey showed that medical students had better knowledge but dental interns had better awareness, though both were statistically not significant.

The medical interns had better behavior score than dental interns, which was statistically significant.

Conflicts of interest

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None