COMPARING AWARENESS ABOUT HIV/AIDS INFECTION AMONG MEDICAL AND NURSING STUDENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

ABSTRACT

Background: HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 32 million lives so far. Medical and nursing students are future health care workers. Thus, medical and nursing students should be provided with detailed knowledge about HIV and related issues in order to provide high quality, nonjudgmental services that will engage key populations at risk of HIV. Study is done to estimate the awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among medical and nursing students and to compare the awareness associated with HIV/AIDS among medical and nursing students. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 259 medical and nursing students from a tertiary care hospital in Raichur city between 1st October 2019 to 31st January 2020, using a pre-designed, semi- structured questionnaire, after taking consent, the questionnaire was distributed to students which were answered by self administration. Qualitative data was analyzed using Chi-square test and independent sample t test. Results: Out of 259 students, majority 160 (61.78%) belong to age 18 years, 147 (56.76%) were male, 212 (81.85%) were Hindus. 197 (76.06%) students were not attended any training programme on HIV/AIDS. Difference was found in medical and nursing students of their knowledge and Practices scores were statistically signi?cant i.e., P < 0.05.Conclusion: The medical students have high knowledge and practice scores compared to nursing students