December 2009

Volume 26, Issue 4

Assessment of HIV/AIDS awareness among 500 patients referred to the Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry

Authors: K. Kamburoğlu A.R.İ. Cebeci C.S. Paksoy
doi: 10.1922/CDH_2371Kamburoğlu05

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the knowledge of and attitudes to AIDS among patients referred to the Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry, Turkey. Design: A random sample of 500 patients participated and completed a questionnaire which comprised of six basic questions aimed at assessing the respondent’s general knowledge and attitude towards AIDS. The questionnaire also collected demographic information about each patient, including age, gender and level of education. Results: Out of 500 respondents, 65 (13%) had been tested for HIV. The majority of respondents, 479 (95.8%) were aware that AIDS was a transmissible disease, and of these, 410 (85.6%) knew that semen and blood were modes of transmission. In addition, 451 (90.2%) respondents were in favour of requiring AIDS testing for all patients undergoing dental treatment. Educational level was found to be the main factor affecting the number of correct answers regarding transmission of the disease. Conclusion: The study highlighted dental patients’ misconceptions, risk perceptions, and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Key words: AIDS / HIV, modes of transmission, patient awareness.

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Editorial - Beyond water fluoridation; the emergence of functional foods for oral health 194-195 Download
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Fluoride toothpaste utilization behaviour among preschool children in Perlis, Malaysia 211-215 Download
Rural Mexican immigrant parents’ interpretation of children’s dental symptoms and decisions to seek treatment 216-221 Download
Assessment of HIV/AIDS awareness among 500 patients referred to the Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry 222-226 Download
Professional charges not reimbursed to dentists in the US: evidence from Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 1996. 227-233 Download
Quality of life in patients with dental conditions: comparing patients’ and providers’ evaluation 234-238 Download
Understanding politics? Some lessons from Swedish dentistry. 239-243 Download
Factors influencing the need for dental care amongst the elderly in the Republic of Ireland 244-249 Download
The periodontal health of Nepalese schoolchildren 250-256 Download

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