Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dental Students Regarding Treatment of Patients with HIV or AIDS in Nepal.

Katwal, D; Rimal, J; Prajapati, K

Background There have been discrepancies in providing treatment to HIV positive patients across healthcare fields, due to lack of knowledge. Currently, there is an increasing awareness of discrepancies in the provision of dental care for HIV positive patients and a potential relationship to health care professional knowledge and attitudes towards these individuals. Objective To analyze dental students' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding treatment of HIV patients in Nepal. Method An online survey was sent to all dental students via blue-eval. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to predict a likelihood of the dental treatments between HIV negative and HIV Positive patients. Logistic regression was used to predict the likelihood of dental treatments for HIV patients based on the knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus. Result Two hundred six students (65%) responded to the survey from dental colleges in Nepal. All students had worked with at least one HIV positive patient. Overall, students felt uncomfortable providing dental treatments to HIV positive patients, with only 29% likely to perform a prophylaxis and filling, 18% orthodontic treatment, 16% endodontic treatment, 12% periodontal scaling, and only 10% extractions. Conclusion Currently dental students in Nepal are uncomfortable in providing treatment to HIV/ AIDS patients.