Abstract
Background: In our Islamic societies in contrast to most regions of the world the epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is low. Data from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region suggests increasing incidence among key populations (people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, transgender persons, sex workers and prisoners) in the region. Accurate data collection has long been limited by social, cultural, and religious taboos. Understanding knowledge levels and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS is an important component to design adequate and culturally appropriate awareness and prevention programs.
Objectives: This study set out to determine the knowledge, attitude and risk perception of Saudi surgery trainees to HIV infection and AIDS.
Methods: cross-sectional survey was conducted among 500 surgery trainees in Riyadh hospitals. Data was collected using a pretested, Online-administrated 30-item questionnaire and was statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 20.
Design: cross sectional design
Setting: online survey
Main Outcome Measures: Knowledge gaps and negative attitudes of the surgeon trainees toward people living with HIV/AIDS
Results: Most of participants (60%) were males with mean age of 35 years. Also 60% were married. Almost all of our participants (90%) aren't concerned with estimation the HIV prevalence in their area. More than three quarters (82%) of them said that needle stick injuries (NSI) could occur from 5 to 6 times per year. The majority of participants (84%) occasionally exposed to HIV positive blood. 80% of them occasionally operated on AIDS patients unknowingly. The majority (81%) had an idea of the CDC guidelines for universal precautions against blood borne pathogens.
Conclusion: Knowledge gaps and negative attitudes of the surgeon trainees toward people living with HIV/AIDS have been identified and can be improved by medical training and social media awareness campaigns.
Limitation: sample size and limited areas of Saudi arabia