Poor assessment of HIV epidemiology and occupational HIV transmission risk by medical students.

Due to the increasing global number of HIV-positive patients, the potential risk of acquiring infection with HIV during routine clinical care is on the increase. Assessments of the knowledge of medical students about occupational HIV transmission are therefore important. This study analysed the knowledge of 397 first year and 75 fifth year medical students about the epidemiology of HIV in Germany and their assessment of the risk of acquiring HIV in different clinical situations. Medical students overestimated the incidence and mortality of HIV in Germany, with fewer than 30% knowing the correct numbers. They also overestimated the risk of occupational HIV infection in several clinical settings, such as changing dirty linen or wound dressings. Few differences were found between first and fifth year medical students. For their later work as physicians medical students still need more information and counselling about the epidemiology of HIV, prevention of occupational HIV infections and care for patients with HIV/AIDS.