OBJECTIVE: To determine and assess the level of awareness among students of a private medical college regarding HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C. METHODS: A survey was conducted to assess the awareness of medical students on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C. They were asked to fulfill a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The variables accessed were their knowledge of disease regarding etiology, mode of transmission, and prevention. RESULTS: A total of 267 students participated, with 117 (43.8%) students from pre-clinical years and 150 (56.2%) from the clinical years. The male female ratio was 1:2, mean age of respondents was 21 +/- 1.5 years. Majority of the students (98%) agreed that an infected person is a major source of transmitting these infections. Almost all (95%) students knew that blood transfusion was an important source of transmitting these infections. Wearing gloves (87%) and safe disposal of sharps waste (98%) were known by the students to be the ways to protect against these infections. A significant difference was noted on comparing the knowledge between preclinical and clinical students regarding medical / surgical procedures causing these infections (p<0.001) and also regarding the ways to protect against these diseases (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a lack of awareness among the medical students entering into the profession. It is the need of the hour to emphasize on practicing universal precautions. In addition, some preventive measures should be taken by the management of the universities and medical students to avoid the occurrence of these problems.
OBJECTIVE: To determine and assess the level of awareness among students of a private medical college regarding HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C. METHODS: A survey was conducted to assess the awareness of medical students on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C. They were asked to fulfill a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The variables accessed were their knowledge of disease regarding etiology, mode of transmission, and prevention. RESULTS: A total of 267 students participated, with 117 (43.8%) students from pre-clinical years and 150 (56.2%) from the clinical years. The male female ratio was 1:2, mean age of respondents was 21 +/- 1.5 years. Majority of the students (98%) agreed that an infected person is a major source of transmitting these infections. Almost all (95%) students knew that blood transfusion was an important source of transmitting these infections. Wearing gloves (87%) and safe disposal of sharps waste (98%) were known by the students to be the ways to protect against these infections. A significant difference was noted on comparing the knowledge between preclinical and clinical students regarding medical / surgical procedures causing these infections (p<0.001) and also regarding the ways to protect against these diseases (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a lack of awareness among the medical students entering into the profession. It is the need of the hour to emphasize on practicing universal precautions. In addition, some preventive measures should be taken by the management of the universities and medical students to avoid the occurrence of these problems.