Knowledge and attitudes of dental students and Dental Surgery Assistants at the University of the West Indies School of Dentistry towards HIV/AIDS patients

Al- Bayaty HF, Balkaran R L, Murti PR, Sa B.

Ramaa Lalita BalkaranRamaa Lalita Balkaran

CMJ

2017

78

2

5-10

Objective: To describe dental students’ and Dental Surgery Assistants’ (DSAs) views towards patients with HIV/AIDS in Trinidad. Design and Methods: All students, Interns and DSAs attending the University of the West Indies, School of Dentistry, were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Questions covered knowledge of transmission, oral manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and perceptions of the severity of the disease. Results: There was a response rate of 98.9 %. Perception of the seriousness of the disease in Trinidad and Tobago was 84.8%. The participants’ knowledge on the pathogenesis was 86.7%. Only 62.2 % were aware of the available treatment. The major concern when treating HIV/AIDS patients was infection 25%. Conclusion: The study showed attitudes, knowledge and beliefs of dental students and assistants at the Dental School and further research which may involve qualitative analyses of the opinions of students and DSAs to obtain a better understanding of these views

Completed