Nivel de conocimiento de estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad Santo Tomás sobre los signos bucales en pacientes con VIH/SIDA.

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with the Human Immunode Virus (HIV) are affected by secondary infections in some cases with involvement of the oral cavity, evidenced as opportunistic lesions of unknown etiology. Thus, the dental professional must be trained to recognize these findings during clinical care. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of the students of the Undergraduate Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Santo Tomás University about oral signs in patients with HIV / AIDS in the year 2021. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional analytical observational study. The survey was designed in Google Forms and applied to students from 6th to 10th semester who met the selection criteria. The information downloaded in Microsoft Excel was exported to the STATA 14.0 software where it was analyzed. The description of the data included absolute frequency and percentage (qualitative variables) together with measures of central tendency and dispersion (quantitative variables). For the bivariate analysis, the level of knowledge categorized as low, medium and high, was evaluated against sociodemographic variables. Values of p <0.05 were considered statistically significant. The study followed the provisions of resolution 8430 of 1993. Results: A total of 205 students participated in the study, with a median age of 21 years, 76.59% were women and 58.05% were from socioeconomic status. 69.90% of the participants answered correctly the questions about knowledge about HIV; 73.66% state that the subjects do not provide sufficient information for the care of patients with HIV and 74.15% consider that they have a medium level of competencies to care for people diagnosed with HIV. Conclusions: 69.90% of the undergraduate clinic students have a medium or moderate level of knowledge about oral signs in patients with HIV / AIDS.