Knowledge, attitude and practice survey of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) among paramedicals in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

A knowledge, attitude and practice survey of acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was conducted among 805 paramedics at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad in mid 1993. The mean age of the study population was 29.0 +/- 7.2 years and 59% were males. Almost 25% individuals either had no or upto primary level education. Initial response of 10% subjects was not having heard of AIDS and 70% thought their knowledge was sketchy, while 43% could not mention any cause for the disease. Almost 50% did not know that HIV infection could be asymptomatic. With respect to attitudes about AIDS, 30% subjects thought that changing life style shall have no effect on avoiding AIDS, 50% were of the view that at present AIDS did not pose a significant threat to them and 4% individuals however, admitted to having risk of contracting the disease. There existed significant gaps in the knowledge and attitudes of paramedical staff about AIDS and correlated with the level of education of the staff. These deficiencies need to be addressed through developing health education packages in local languages, targeted especially towards paramedical staff.