AIDS related knowledge, attitudes, and professional preparation among social work students in India.
Three-hundred and eighty-five social work students enrolled in 11 colleges in India were surveyed. Overall, the students demonstrated a moderate degree of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. However, they were generally unconcerned about the contagion. Three-fourths admitted to their lack of competence to deal with HIV+ patients. Regression analyses identified the positive effect of AIDS knowledge in combination with variables 'actual contact with AIDS patients' and 'sense of competence' on attitude toward PHWA. The paper discusses a curriculum strategy aimed at gender sensitive content and recommends behavior change as the best approach to reverse the tide of the contagion.
Sachdev
Paul
P
School of Social Work, Memorial University of New-foundland, St Johns, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada. psachdev@mun.ca
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003479:Curriculum; D004500:Education, Graduate; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education*; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*