Attitudes and experience of Singapore doctors and dental surgeons regarding acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients.

A survey of all doctors and dentists in Singapore was conducted by mail in September 1987 to document their attitudes and experience in treating HIV-infected patients. As of October 1987 2 AIDS cases and 10 carriers were reported in Singapore. 770 doctors and 175 dentists returned their questionnaires. Some misinformation about AIDS appeared in that 2% did not believe HIV is spread only by sexual or blood contact and 5% believed that nothing can be done to prevent infection. 64% stated that nurses who take care of AIDS/HIV positive people are at high risk of getting AIDS. 74% expressed fear of contracting AIDS from patients. 85% agreed that their staff would be very upset at treating AIDS patients and 69% believed that staff would quit in this situation. 85% or doctors said HIV infected patients should be treated in special clinics and 92% said they would refer such patients. Most practitioners admitted that they had little or no experience with treating opportunistic infections seen in AIDS patients except for Candida. While 90% felt that hospital training for AIDS treatment would be more effective than didactic courses 44% said they would not attend a course conducted in an AIDS clinic or hospital.