Knowledge and attitude regarding human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in dermatological outpatients.
BACKGROUND
Dermatologists are often the first-line specialists who recognize and diagnose human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection because of pathognomic skin signs. It is therefore important to investigate attitudes and knowledge regarding HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) amongst dermatological patients in order to provide information for dermatologists and to draw their attention to the issues.


OBJECTIVE
Awareness of HIV/AIDS, its prevention, and hypothetical behaviour were surveyed in dermatological outpatients.


METHODS
The anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted with consecutive German-speaking outpatients aged 18-65 years, who registered at the dermatological outpatient's clinic (excluding venereology, genitourinary or HIV medicine) of the University of Munich (Germany).


RESULTS
Three hundred forty-seven (77.5%) questionnaires were accepted for analysis. Most of the patients knew about HIV incurability (89.4%), HIV transmissibility during needle sharing (95.3%), or vaginal (87.4%) and anal intercourse (79.5%), as well as about HIV prevention by condom use (97.8%), and use of single needles (76.2%). However, knowledge gaps and misconceptions were detected regarding the risk of HIV transmission during oral sex, and the efficacy of sexual fidelity and avoidance of blood transfusions in HIV prevention. The lowest knowledge level (< 50% correct answers) was detected in patients aged 50-59 years, in unemployed, divorced/widowed, and in those without or with incomplete school education.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient education about HIV/AIDS in dermatological ambulant settings should be performed differentially with regard to socio-demographic factors, and focused on the topic of oral sexual HIV transmission and on some other specific misconceptions.
Kouznetsov
L
L
AIDS Psychosocial Division, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
Kuznetsov
A V
AV
Ruzicka
T
T
Matterne
U
U
Wienecke
R
R
Zippel
S A
SA
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult