DENTAL PATIENTS' KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ABOUT TRANSMISSION WAYS OF ACQuIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)
JOURNAL OF ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF DENTISTRY, vol.50, no.1, pp.19-26, 2016 (ESCI, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 50 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2016
- Doi Number: 10.17096/jiufd.73756
- Journal Name: JOURNAL OF ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF DENTISTRY
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.19-26
- Trakya University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients' attitude, knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS. And secondary aim was to assess the need for further education about HIV/AIDS. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire of 39 items was used to evaluate the patients' knowledge. 301 patients were included (mean age 37.12 +/- 7.85 years, 41.5% male, 58.5% female) in the study. Results were calculated by Students t-test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test. Results: Most of the patients had accurate knowledge about transmission ways, however transmission through breastfeeding (31.6%), public restrooms (44.9%), and insects and mosquitos bite (47.2%) were less recognized. Saliva (32.2%), urine (36.9%), tears (58.5%), sweat (54.5%), breast milk (30.6%), feces (36.9%) and cerebrospinal fluid (7.3%) were less recognized body fluids. Generally university and postgraduate educated patients had more accurate knowledge than other groups. 63.1% of patients thought that they need further education about HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the knowledge level about HIV/AIDS was almost agreeable. However, the patients had deficiencies with respect to their knowl-edge. Therefore the authors of this study believe that there must be education programs related to HIV/AIDS.