Knowledge on HIV/AIDS among Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Laure Stella Ghoma Linguissi^1, , Robin Noé Ongagna Yombi², Céline Nguefeu Nkenfou^{3, 4} and Jean Rosaire Ibara²

¹Unité d’Epidémiologie et Biotechnologie, Institut national de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSSA), Brazzaville

²Faculty of Health Sciences, University Marien Ngouabi, PB: 2672

³Chantal Biya International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroun

⁴Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Cite this paper:
Laure Stella Ghoma Linguissi, Robin Noé Ongagna Yombi, Céline Nguefeu Nkenfou and Jean Rosaire Ibara. Knowledge on HIV/AIDS among Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2018; 6(1):7-13. doi: 10.12691/ajeid-6-1-2

Abstract

Background: The rate of HIV infection in the Republic of Congo is 5%. Training on HIV/AIDS is not formally included in the university curriculum. We evaluated students' knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS in the Faculty of Health Sciences of Brazzaville. Methods: All 3rd year students in medicine, public health and biomedical sciences, plus the 4th, 5th and 6th years of medicine completed the survey through a questionnaire developed by the research unit. Results: A total of 159 students participated in the survey. The willingness to work with people living with HIV and the willingness to take care of them were respectively 88.05% and 91.19%. More than 92% of the students had a positive attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS. It is therefore essential that caregivers be properly informed to improve their attitude and thus the quality of care for people living with HIV/AIDS. With regard to clinical questions on HIV/AIDS, knowledge about virology was insufficient. Students in clinical and especially preclinical years need to broaden their knowledge about clinical symptoms strongly associated with HIV/AIDS. Discussion: The majority of health science students had a good knowledge of HIV. Nearly half of them did not have a good attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS. However, for the low proportion (<17%) of students with negative attitudes, a review of the current educational components on HIV/AIDS is required. Knowledge of clinical signs and treatment of HIV/AIDS were moderate: at most 71% of students knew the correct answers. Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen the basic knowledge of medical students on HIV/AIDS, but also to fight against misconceptions about this disease. This study showed that students need to learn more about HIV / AIDS. And the negative perception of PLWH by medical students should be addressed to improve the quality of care.

Keywords:
HIV/AIDS Knowledge Attitude Students Faculty of Health Sciences Republic of Congo

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