Knowledge and Attitudes of Albanian Dental School Students Towards HIV/AIDS

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess final year dental students' knowledge about the oral lesions associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), barrier dentistry, and their perception, knowledge and attitude toward HIV-infected patients.

Methods: The study population was surveyed by means of a self-administered questionnaire consisted of 71 students of the final year of the Dental School of the Tirana University in Albania.

Results: Most of the respondents (100% response rate) had scarce knowledge of the oral lesions associated with HIV-infection. Almost all considered their knowledge on oral lesions associated with HIV/AIDS to be inadequate. Although university lectures were considered a major source of information, media had still a very important role. Contribution of scientific journals and internet was negligible, reflecting the limited access to such sources in Albania. Only half claimed to have adequate knowledge on post-exposure protocol, while 83% had never heard of post-exposure prophylaxis. 59% of the students were very anxious about the risk of occupational acquisition of HIV and most claimed that infected patients should be only treated in specialized centers. Only 15% would have no objections in treating HIV-infected patients, while the majority of respondents would be hesitant about performing dental treatment on HIV-positive patients. Only a quarter of the students would willingly work in the same environment with a HIV-positive individual and 55% would not accept to be treated in a clinic where their colleagues perform treatments on HIV-positive patients, because of fear that infection control procedures are not sufficient in preventing cross-infection.

Conclusion: This study highlights some of the gaps on the education on HIV/AIDS and the need for additional training. Training should also include psychological aspects of treating HIV-infected patients.