Evaluation of knowledge & awareness of medical students on HIV/AIDS before and after teaching curriculum

Abstract

Introduction : The HIV/AIDS pandemic has become one of the most important public health problems in recent times. India has the 3 rd highest number of estimated people living with HIV /AIDS (PLHA) in the world. It is an urgent necessit y that the doctors of tomorrow are prepared to deal w ith the many outcomes of the spread of HIV infectio n in the community. WHO strongly recommends the incorporation of knowledge of HIV/AIDS in medical syllabus starting from the 1 st year. Methods: A Prospective study was conducted to assess the kno wledge and awareness of medical students and effectiveness of curriculum on HIV/AIDS at RIMS Medical College, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh in July and September 2015. 150 students of 4 th semester were included after taking their consent. A questionnaire having 30 items of closed ended except three and subjective items were admini stered. Base line knowledge was assessed by pretest evaluation. Post-test evaluation was done two months after teac hing curriculum for two hours. Results: The knowledge of students after teaching curriculum regarding HIV/AIDS was high in all aspects when compared to pre intervention . Conclusions: Awareness of students on HIV/AIDS was improved in post-intervention assessment. 1. Few students (11/150) only knew about p 24 antigen. 2. Students' knowledge about vertical transmission and non-modes of transmission of HIV still needs inter vention. 3. Regarding vulnerable groups, symptoms and testing strategies - their awareness was poor.