HIV/AIDS Awareness among General Practitioners Practising in Slum Area of Mumbai

The general practitioners are family physicians, they know the patient and his family over a period of time and therefore have the firsthand knowledge of patient's life history, his behavior and practices. He/she also plays an important role in education and generating awareness among the patients and thus preventing further spread of the virus, thereby playing an important role as counselor.

The proforma comprised of questions on identification data, services provided in their clinic, questionnaire regarding knowledge of HIV/AIDS and practice of universal precautions.

Following observations were made:

• 60% of the general practitioners had perfect knowledge about the window period.

• 70% of the general practitioners gave right answers regarding transmission of HIV.

• 92% of the general practitioners were practicing incorrect ways of disposing disposable needles.

• 79% of the general practitioners opined that women with HIV should not become pregnant.

• All of them opined that all practitioners should undergo refreshing course or attend the CME on management of HIV/AIDS patients.

• 71% of the general practitioners had undergone the training of which 17.6% were managing the cases of HIV/AIDS.