Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours on HIV infection/AIDS among clinical students and house surgeons in Mandalay

Data were collected to assess the current level of knowledge, attitude towards prevention and actual practices among clinical students and house surgeons in Mandalay in 1994. It was found that there were class related differences in KAP scores of medical students. In addition, they could correctly answer the difference between AIDS and HIV infection as their education advanced (Chi=45.55, p < 0.005), but there was no difference with regard to knowledge of AIDS counselling (p > 0.1) and the use of condom (p > 0.1). Only 49.5 percent would like to take care of AIDS patients in their wards. To avoid treating AIDS patients is the main reason in 38.6 percent of them. At the same time, 23 percent of students believed that AIDS should be prevented by isolating HIV infected cases. Percentage of presence of risk behaviour are nearly the same for the three different clases. 27.2 percent of students had heterosex and among them, 51.1 percent reported always using condom while 10.2 percent reported never using condom at all. It may be due to the misperception about the transmission or inability to break down the lod socio-cultural constraints or just due to the fact that information increases knowledge but does not change behaviour. An integrated and comprehensive educational programme and periodic feedback is recommended.