Assessment of students, knowledge regarding AIDS in Medical Technical Institute in Erbil City

Abstract

Background: The acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one of the most common health problems of 21^st century and has been pandemic disease that threats the world population .Since AIDS was recognized as distinct new disease entity in (1981), nearly 60 million individuals worldwide have been infected by HIV, of those more than 90% were in developing world . According to international statistic Iraq is still among the low prevalence continues for AIDS.

Objectives: The aim of this study was included to assess knowledge of students in Medical Technical Institute regarding AIDS.

Methods: cross sectional study was conducted in Medical institution for ninety-two of first year students of different specialties. Knowledge of students regarding Aids was evaluated through number of domains. The data were collected in 1/9/2009 - 29/1/2010. An interview technique method was used for data collection.

Results: The study indicated that there was deficient knowledge among study sample about AIDS regardless of different variables such as (age, gender, residency, social factors and economic status.

Conclusion: knowledge about AIDS among students in Medical Technical Institute were poor related to many factors included lack of adequate information in the content of curriculums, lack of self education, and lack of interest of some of students to acquire new information about AIDS

Recommendation: The study recommended that to enhance chapters about Aids knowledge and prevention methods, and to distribute some booklets, and posters to clarify all facts about Aids