Table 2.
Knowledge regarding the infection control, modes of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and measures to be taken in the event of a needlestick injury among the study population
| Knowledge questions | Response | Year of study |
Total (%) | P | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third year (%) | Fourth year (%) | Intern (%) | ||||
| Question 9: The Barrier technique to be followed for treating patients with HIV/AIDS? | Correct (1) | 20 (13.60) | 14 (10.50) | 32 (21.80) | 66 (15.50) | 0.000*** |
| Not sure (2) | 2 (1.40) | 4 (3.00) | 22 (15.00) | 28 (6.60) | ||
| Incorrect (3) | 125 (85.00) | 115 (86.50) | 93 (63.30) | 333 (78.00) | ||
| Total | 147 (100.00) | 133 (100.00) | 147 (100.00) | 427 (100.00) | ||
| Question 10: According to you, is HBV more infectious than HIV? | Correct (1) | 65 (44.20) | 97 (72.90) | 101 (68.70) | 263 (61.60) | 0.000*** |
| Not sure (2) | 22 (15.00) | 19 (14.30) | 38 (25.90) | 79 (18.50) | ||
| Incorrect (3) | 60 (40.80) | 17 (12.80) | 8 (5.40) | 85 (19.90) | ||
| Total | 147 (100.00) | 133 (100.00) | 147 (100.00) | 427 (100.00) | ||
| Question 11: Infection-control practices for HBV are adequate for protection against HIV? | Correct (1) | 38 (25.90) | 38 (28.60) | 91 (61.90) | 167 (39.10) | 0.000*** |
| Not sure (2) | 43 (29.30) | 36 (27.10) | 0 (0.00) | 79 (18.50) | ||
| Incorrect (3) | 66 (44.90) | 59 (44.40) | 56 (38.10) | 181 (42.40) | ||
| Total | 147 (100.00) | 133 (100.00) | 147 (100.00) | 427 (100.00) | ||
| Question 12: The occupational exposure to saliva in the dental setting can readily transmit HIV to the dentist? | Correct (1) | 46 (31.30) | 60 (45.10) | 79 (53.70) | 185 (43.30) | 0.004** |
| Not sure (2) | 12 (8.20) | 9 (6.80) | 8 (5.40) | 29 (6.80) | ||
| Incorrect (3) | 89 (60.50) | 64 (48.10) | 60 (40.80) | 213 (49.90) | ||
| Total | 147 (100.00) | 133 (100.00) | 147 (100.00) | 427 (100.00) | ||
| Question 13: What measures would you take in case of needlestick injury from a diagnosed case of HIV-infected person? | Correct (1) | 40 (27.20) | 62 (46.60) | 84 (57.10) | 186 (43.60) | 0.000*** |
| Not sure (2) | 75 (51.00) | 48 (36.10) | 48 (32.70) | 171 (40.00) | ||
| Incorrect (3) | 32 (21.80) | 23 (17.30) | 15 (10.20) | 70 (16.40) | ||
| Total | 147 (100.00) | 133 (100.00) | 147 (100.00) | 427 (100.00) | ||
| Question 14: In your opinion, how much is the risk of contracting HIV infection from an HIV-contaminated needlestick injury? | Correct (1) | 3 (2.00) | 19 (14.30) | 29 (19.70) | 51 (11.90) | 0.000*** |
| Not sure (2) | 46 (31.30) | 61 (45.90) | 54 (36.70) | 161 (37.70) | ||
| Incorrect (3) | 98 (66.70) | 53 (39.80) | 64 (43.50) | 215 (50.40) | ||
| Total | 147 (100.00) | 133 (100.00) | 147 (100.00) | 427 (100.00) | ||
| Question 15: Which drugs are taken under ART therapy for the treatment of HIV/AIDS? | Correct (1) | 9 (6.10) | 14 (10.50) | 68 (46.30) | 91 (21.30) | 0.000*** |
| Not sure (2) | 82 (55.80) | 65 (48.90) | 40 (27.20) | 187 (43.80) | ||
| Incorrect (3) | 56 (38.10) | 54 (40.60) | 39 (26.50) | 149 (34.90) | ||
| Total | 147 (100.00) | 133 (100.00) | 147 (100.00) | 427 (100.00) | ||
AIDS, acquired immune-deficiency syndrome; ART, Anti-retroviral Therapy; HBV, hepatitis B virus.
***
implies significant difference.