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

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 Mien-nation 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 or 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.