title: The Curse of HIV: How Well Prepared is our Paramedical Force?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV patient-care is determined by the knowledge and attitudes of the health care workers (HCWs) towards the disease and towards HIV-positive individuals. With increasing incidence of HIV, a need was felt to assess the preparedness of the health care providers in the Armed Forces.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population based, cross-sectional, questionnaire based analytical study was undertaken among para medical workers in the setting of a medical college and tertiary care service hospital to assess the knowledge and attitudes of HCWs towards HIV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study indicated that contrary to the expectations and general belief, important knowledge gaps regarding modes of transmission, clinical course, diagnosis and management of HIV infection still exist among the paramedical workers of the Armed Forces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study has highlighted the urgent need to review the training curriculum of our paramedical workers at all levels and undertake intensive on the job training. The study recommends that medical officers should take full responsibility for imparting correct knowledge and ensuring correct attitude among the paramedical workers.
authors.affiliation: Officer Commanding, Station Health Organisation, Ambala Cantt.
authors.forename: Anuj
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune.
authors.forename: Rajvir
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhalwar
keywords: Armed Forces; HIV/AIDS; Health care workers (HCWs); Knowledge and attitude