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Comparing dentists' attitudes and knowledge concerning AIDS: differences and similarities by locale
1Department of Dentistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y. 10461.
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|March 1, 1991
Summary
General practitioners (GPs) show consistent willingness to treat patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)+, regardless of practice location. Their knowledge of HIV transmission and treatment attitudes remain uniform across urban and rural settings.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Dental Practice
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding healthcare providers' willingness to treat patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
- Previous reports suggested disparities in care, particularly in rural areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess general practitioners' (GPs) attitudes towards treating patients with AIDS/HIV.
- To evaluate GPs' knowledge of HIV transmission.
- To compare these attitudes and knowledge across different practice locales.
Main Methods:
- A stratified random sample of 1,351 GPs in the continental U.S. was surveyed.
- Data were analyzed nationally and by practice locale (high HIV+ prevalence urban, other urban, rural).
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in GPs' willingness to treat AIDS/HIV+ patients across the three locales.
- GPs demonstrated consistent knowledge regarding HIV transmission, irrespective of practice location.
- While fear-related attitudes varied by locale, willingness to treat and knowledge remained uniform.
Conclusions:
- Findings largely refute claims of inadequate care for AIDS/HIV+ patients in rural America.
- General practitioners exhibit a uniform willingness and knowledge base for treating patients with HIV/AIDS nationwide.