year medical students (45% sample) were surveyed from New Jersey Medical School and ... Medical School, 185 S Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103-2714.
INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON OF MEDICAL STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF HIV INFECTION AND AIDS G. Reza Najem, MD, MPH, PhD, FACPM, FRSM, and Enuma 1. Okoye Okuzu, MD Newark, New Jersey
This analysis compared medical students' perceptions of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in two cities in two countries with different cultural and educational backgrounds. A total of 292 first- and secondyear medical students (45% sample) were surveyed from New Jersey Medical School and from Benin Medical School, Nigeria. Compared with the Benin students, the Newark medical students were significantly more knowledgeable and had more positive attitudes and behaviors regarding HIV infection and AIDS. Misperceptions regarding certain modes of transmission of HIV were significantly higher among the Benin students than the Newark students. Compared with the Benin students, the Newark students had more frequent sexual intercourse and used condoms more frequently, but the Benin students had more sex partners. Perception of personal risk and concern of contracting AIDS was significantly higher among the Newark students than the Benin students. These results indicate it is important that medical educators in medical schools convey accurate information to improve medical students' perception regarding HIV infection and AIDS. (J Nail Med Assoc. 1998;90:765-774.)
Key words: HIV infection * acquired immunodeficiency syndrome * medical students
Several investigators have reported on US medical students' misperceptions of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Their findings have indicated these students harbor attitudes that have an adverse influence on their willingness to provide high-quality medical care for HIV-infected and AIDS patients.'"7
However, an international comparison of US medical students with medical students from another country with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds has not been reported in the English medical literature. This study compared medical students' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding HIV infection and AIDS in two cities in different countries (Newark, NewJersey, and Benin City, Nigeria).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey. Requests for reprints should be addressed to Dr G. Reza Najem, Dept of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, New Jersey Medical School, 185 S Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103-2714.
A 45% sample (292 students) in preclinical years (first and second year) were surveyed from two medical schools (n=649 students). The sample included 151 medical students from New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, and 141 medical students from Benin Medical School, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria. NewJersey Medical School is
JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, VOL. 90, NO. 12
765
MEDICAL STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF HIV & AIDS
Table 1. Demographics of Benin Medical School and New Jersey Medical School Students % Benin
Variable Gender* Female Male Racet Black White Other Yeart 1 st year 2nd year Aget 19years 20-24 years >25 years Religiont Protestant Catholic Moslem Jewish Others Marital status§ Never married Married Residencet City Suburban Rural Educational level of head of familyfl < 12 years 12years 13-16 years >16years Annual family incomet¶ Low Middle Upper middle High
*P=.48.
Students (n=141)
% NJ
Students (n=1 51)
48 52
52 48
96 3 1
15 52
38 62
44 56
33
35
1
60 5
67 32
45 38 4 0 12
15 42 3 13 27
98 2
91 9
94 4 1
19 78 3
4 7 36 53
7 10 29 54
6 20 15 59
7 24 40 29
tP=.001. +P=.24. §Pf.009. IIP=.90. ¶US income ($): low=
