WILLINGNESS TO TREAT PATIENTS WITH HIV/AIDS AMONG FIRST YEAR STUDENTS IN A PRIVATE DETNAL INSTITUTION: CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: After years of its discovery, human immunodeficiency virus (known as HIV) is still an alarming public concern. During dental treatments there is a considerable high risk of cross contamination. Cross contamination occurs by accident with cutting or puncture contaminated materials such as needle perforation. Aim of our study is to analyse the willingness to treat patients with HIV/AIDS among first year dental students. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among first year dental graduates in chennai city. Demographics, willingness and regard to treat HIV patients were assessed using MCRS scale. Structural questionnaire was prepared and circulated among first year dental students through google forms. A list of 13 questions including demographics and willingness/regard to treat HIV/AIDS that can possibly influence students' decisions was presented to students of a private dental institution.SPSS V 23 was used for analysis and P<0.05 is considered significant. Results: There is no significant difference between the age category of less than 18 and more than 18 years to treat patients with HIV/AIDS among first year dental students (P>0.05).There is no significant difference between males and females to treat patients with HIV/AIDS among first year dental students (P>0.05). The mean difference in MCRS score among <18 years and >18 years students in the sample. The mean and standard deviation for the age group less than 18 is 39.71 and 9.992 respectively whereas mean and standard deviation for the age group of more than 18 is 40 and 7.92 respectively, p value is 0.878 which is not significant . Conclusion: From our present study we can conclude that most of the first year students are ready to treat patients with HIV/AIDS infection. Their willingness to treat patients are increased with improvement of their knowledge about the disease.