Emperical Study about Fears and Misconceptions of Aids and Hepatitis among Medical Students

Background: A number of evaluations regarding awareness among people about modes of transmission, sources of transmission and vaccination against HBV, HCV and HIV have been carried out but very few of them have specifically focused medical students. This study reflects the degree of awareness of 3rd year MBBS students on these issues and their vaccination status. It also depicts whether medical students are afraid of examining patients afflicted with these diseases or not.

Objectives: To determine the knowledge of medical students about various aspects of HBV, HCV and HIV.

Methodology: This is an observational cross-sectional study with prospective data, done through a questionnaire survey on 130 3rd year M.B.B.S students.

Results: Knowledge of students about modes of transmission of HBV, HCV and HIV: 28.4% complete/70.7% incomplete/ 0.007% no knowledge

1. Fear among students for examination of patients with HBV, HIV and HCV: 40% afraid/60% not afraid

2. Knowledge of students about availability of vaccination against HBV, HCV and HIV: HBV : 80.7% HCV: 42.3% HIV: 16.9%

3. Vaccination status of students against HBV: 81.5% vaccinated/19.5% not vaccinated

Conclusion: The percentage of students having complete knowledge about these diseases is lower than that is expected.