Perception and Willingness of Clinical Medical Students to Undergo HIV Screening

Abstract

The continuing increases in the number of HIV infected people are not inevitable. Awareness of HIV status, sustained attitudinal change as well as prevention are strategies that were been credited with lower rates among different risk groups. This study set to evaluate HIV infection risk, protection awareness as well as willingness to screening of a high risk group. A structured questionnaire was designed and distributed to all medical students in the three levels of clinical clerkship. The self administered questionnaires were collected and analysed. More than half (68.9%) of the respondents think they are at risk of infection due to nature of their clinical posting, as against 40.9% who believe of risk from outside the hospital. A large number (85.4%) of the respondents have never being screened, despite the awareness in 74.1% respondents of its advantages. Majority (78.2%) considered screening necessary and 78.2% respondents would be willing to under go screening without pay.


Sixty two percent of the respondents considered themselves not adequately protected against HIV infection, about 66.7% would not like to be involved in taking care of AIDS patients. There is therefore the need for more effort to improve peer education/counselling as well as a change in Government policy on payment for screening especially for group at high risk. There should also be hospital based policies on the issue of safety for healthcare personnel.


Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol.46(3) 2004: 59-62