HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HIV-INDUCED DEMENTIA AMONG OLDER ADULTS

In the present study, forty health care providers (physicians, psychol ogists, and nurses) responded to a questionnaire designed to assess th eir knowledge of HIV Associated Dementia Complex (HADC) among older ad ults. Consistent with expectation, these clinicians did not maintain a ccurate knowledge of HIV and HADC base rates, modes of transmission, a nd treatment options. Potential dangers of an inaccurate diagnosis of HADC, typical symptom presentations of HADC, recommendations for makin g a differential diagnosis with Alzheimer's dementia, case examples an d the necessity of gathering sexual histories and avoiding ageist atti tudes among older adult patients are discussed.