DENTAL PATIENTS' KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ABOUT TRANSMISSION WAYS OF ACQuIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients' attitude, knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS. And secondary aim was to assess the need for further education about HIV/AIDS. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire of 39 items was used to evaluate the patients' knowledge. 301 patients were included (mean age 37.12 +/- 7.85 years, 41.5% male, 58.5% female) in the study. Results were calculated by Students t-test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test. Results: Most of the patients had accurate knowledge about transmission ways, however transmission through breastfeeding (31.6%), public restrooms (44.9%), and insects and mosquitos bite (47.2%) were less recognized. Saliva (32.2%), urine (36.9%), tears (58.5%), sweat (54.5%), breast milk (30.6%), feces (36.9%) and cerebrospinal fluid (7.3%) were less recognized body fluids. Generally university and postgraduate educated patients had more accurate knowledge than other groups. 63.1% of patients thought that they need further education about HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the knowledge level about HIV/AIDS was almost agreeable. However, the patients had deficiencies with respect to their knowl-edge. Therefore the authors of this study believe that there must be education programs related to HIV/AIDS.