The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39707

Yasenka Peterson, PhD, CHES and Steve Gabany, PhD. Department of Health and Safety, Indiana State University, B-77, Terre Haute, IN 47809, 812-237-3075, hspeters@isugw.indstate.edu

HIV is still a cause of mortality and morbidity in the United State. Even though a cure does not exist, treatment can improve the quantity and quality of life of patients. Physicians are the primary point of contact for HIV / AIDS patients after diagnosis of the disease. How a physician treats his or her patients is a major determinant in patients' decision to return for care and in the patients trust in the health care system. Assessing the attitudes of physicians and dentists will provide information to determine what HIV / AIDS educational and intervention programs are needed to improve care of patients. The researchers also studied the differences in response rates when surveys are administered as pen and paper vs. web-based. Half the physicians and dentist were provided pen and paper survey. The other half was asked to visit a web address to complete the survey.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to describe attitudes of Indiana doctors and dentists toward HIV positive women
• At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able the describe the difference between Indiana dentists' and physicians' attitudes toward HIV positive women
• At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to discuss the difference in response rate between web-based and pen and paper surveys among doctors and dentists

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.