Knowledge, Attitude and Practices toward Post Exposure Prophylaxis for Human Immunodeficiency Virus among Dental Students in India

BACKGROUND: India has the third largest number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and thus, dental practitioners are more likely to encounter such patients for dental management. AIM: The aim of the following study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV among dental interns and post graduate (PG) students of a dental institution in India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 128 dental students (64 interns and 64 PG students). Data related to HIV PEP was collected by pre-designed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire and difference in responses by education level was assessed by Chi-square test and Z-test (significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05). For statistical analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16, Chicago IL, USA) was used. RESULTS: Difference in responses between dental interns and PG students was not statistically significant for majority of questions. All participants had positive attitude toward HIV patients (98.4% [63/64] interns vs. 100% [64/64] PG students). Interns (68.8%, 44/64) and PG students (68.8%, 44/64) were equally aware of the concept of HIV PEP. PG students had better knowledge than dental interns on few questions but overall both of them lacked knowledge about the best timing for commencement of HIV PEP (20.4% [13/64] interns vs. 42.2% [27/64] PG students) (P < 0.01), the antiretroviral drug regimen (48.4% [31/64] interns vs. 43.7% [28/64] PG students) and its duration (23.4% [15/64] interns vs. 25.0% [16/64] PG students), timing of antibody testing to rule out infection to health care worker (23.4% [15/64] interns vs. 35.9% [23/64] PG students) (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: As knowledge regarding HIV PEP is found to be inadequate, well-designed educational programs need to be conducted to increase the understanding of dental professionals on this issue.