title: Public perception of risk of AIDS in health care settings.
abstract: Our nationwide telephone survey conducted in 1988 (n = 2,000) reveals that the public perceives a considerable risk of contracting AIDS during routine transactions in health care settings. In addition to previously noted public concerns about getting infected with the AIDS virus through blood transfusions and blood donations, respondents also think that AIDS can be transmitted through contact with HIV-infected health care workers during routine treatment in medical or dental offices and in hospital emergency rooms. Effective education programs must be developed to address these public concerns.
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0754.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gerbert
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sumser
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D010361:Patients; D015995:Prevalence; D011639:Public Opinion; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology