title: Comprehensive Survey to Study Awareness, Knowledge and Attitude Towards HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B Amongst Dental Professionals Working in Rural India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thirty years into the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic, social and behavioral research on HIV/AIDS remains limited. Data on sexual behavior and AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes are sparse and difficult to compare. The present survey aims primarily towards acquiring unique source of information from health professionals in rural population in order to document AIDS and hepatitis B awareness. The Surveys is an attempt to contain a wealth of data on HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B which until now was not disseminated to rural audience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre-formed questionnaire of 45 questions will be given to all dental professionals, practicing in rural sector, willing to participate in study. Instructions will be given regarding filling the questionnaire. All participants requested to complete the questionair with best of their knowledge and without any assistance. Questionnair were completed in front of author and collected back personally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcomes of the present study, it is clear that our efforts in the last two decades in spreading the knowledge about the disease have met with some limited success. The fact that increasing number of cases of HIV/AIDS are being reported from rural parts, there is certainly a need to reorient the ongoing training programmes towards rural population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Sciences, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University, Karad, Satara, 415110 Maharashtra India.
authors.forename: Prashant A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Punde
authors.affiliation: Siddhivinayak Dental and Maxillofacial Centre, Karad, Satara, India.
authors.forename: Shipra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Punde
keywords: Awareness; Dental professionals; HIV/AIDS; Knowledge; Transmission