AIDS AWARENESS IN PATIENTS ATTENDING THE MEDICAL OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF A PUNE HOSPITAL.

A bilingual questionnaire was administered to 400 out-patients to assess their acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) awareness. Results were analyzed and three scores, namely educational score (%ES), media score (%MS) and AIDS awareness score (%AAS) were devised to give per cent values to these parameters. Only 49 per cent of the males and 26 per cent of the females had studied beyond Class 10. As many as 103 (25.8%) subjects had never heard of AIDS. The remaining 297 patients knew a fair amount but misconceptions were very common. The %AAS was over 80 per cent in students and in civil servants, around 70 per cent in government servants and business persons and around 60 per cent in house wives. It was higher in those from urban backgrounds and in males. The education and media scores of those ignorant of AIDS were poor compared to those aware of AIDS. Risk factors for ignorance were poor educational levels, low exposure to public media and female gender. A very basic take-off level is therefore required when physicians discuss AIDS related issues with their patients.