Knowledge of students regarding hepatitis and HIV/AIDS of a private medical university in Karachi
Anjum, Q.; Siddiqui, H.; Ahmed, Y.; Rizvi, S.Raza.; Usman, Y.
Jpma. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 55(7): 285-288
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9982 PMID: 16108511 Document Number: 255998
A study was conducted to assess the level of awareness among medical students at the Ziauddin Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis B and hepatitis C. 267 students (male-to-female ratio, 1:2; mean age, 21+or-1.5 years) who participated in the study answered a questionnaire in order to assess their knowledge on disease aetiology, transmission and prevention. 117 (43.8%) students were from pre-clinical years and 150 (56.2%) were from the clinical years. The majority (98%) of students agreed that an infected person is a major source of transmitting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis A and B. 95% knew that blood transfusion was a major mode of transmission. 87% and 98%, respectively, noted that wearing gloves and the safe disposal of sharps were ways of protection from acquiring the infections. Significant differences were noted in knowledge level between preclinical and clinical students with regard to risk of acquiring infection and prevention measures.