title: Awareness of health care personnel about preventive aspects of HIV infection/AIDS and their practices and attitudes concerning such patients.
abstract: The study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore to assess the level of awareness of health care personnel regarding various preventive aspects of HIV/AIDS and determine their practices and attitudes while dealing with such patients. Study population consisted of 147 (55.68%) physicians, 82 (31.06%) nurses and 35 (13.26%) paramedics. Most of the participants had awareness regarding prevention of sexual transmission, however there were gaps in their knowledge as to how spread could be checked through the use of screened blood and sterilized syringes and instruments and perinatal transmission. One hundred and twenty three (46.5%) respondents were unaware of precautionary measures to be observed by health care providers while looking after these patients and 140 (53.03%) made improper responses when inquired about their responsibility and practices concerning HIV seropositive individuals and AIDS patients. As a result of misconceptions and ignorance, 108 (40.90%) participants' responses regarding their attitudes towards HIV/AIDS cases were incorrect and improper.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Najmi
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010154:Pakistan