Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of the entire 97 final year dental nursing students from 4 colleges of health technology located in South Western Nigeria was conducted in University of Benin Teaching Hospital during their external clinical posting between June 2006 and June 2007. A self-administered questionnaire elicited information on demography, HIV/AIDS knowledge, source of information, interpersonal communication concerning HIV/AIDS, attitudes towards HIV testing, occupational risk perception and willingness to care for HIV patients.
Results: Response rate was 91.8% (89/97). About three quarter (73%) was in 21-25 years age group. Male: Female ratio was approximately 1:12. The respondents' overall mean HIV/AIDS knowledge score was 13.2±1.8 out of 16 points. Level of knowledge was influenced by marital status, state of origin and sources of information (p<0.05). Misconceptions about transmission by mosquito bite (29.2%) and symptomatology (48.3%) exists among respondents. Fifty-five (61.8%) want HIV patient quarantined to prevent spread. The leading source of information was electronic media 68(76.4%); minor source was internet 7(7.9%). Interpersonal conversation on HIV/AIDS-related issue was commonly with classmates/friends (62.9%). Majority (86%) favoured compulsory HIV testing for dental nursing students. Over four-fifth (88.6%) expressed willingness to render care to HIV infected patient. Fifty-one (57.3%) expressed worry about HIV contagion through occupational exposure.
Conclusion: Dental nursing students constitute a useful public HIV education resource but they lack in-depth knowledge of the subject. Comprehensive training to clarify existing misconceptions and reduce discriminatory behaviour is recommended