Surgeons' attitudes toward HIV/AIDS in turkey

Currently HIV/AIDS is one of the most difficult challenges for health care professionals. As primary medical care providers, attitudes of the physicia ns towards HIV/AIDS are of utmost significance. The aim of this research is to determine the attitudes of the surgeons towards HIV/AIDS in their worki ng environment. Data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire given to 128 surgeons. Results revealed that gender, age and professional e xperience are not significant. This study demonstrated that doctors are wor ried about contracting HIV/AIDS from the patients. In some circumstances do ctors' attitudes, are not clear which may lead to some ethical problems. It is concluded that doctors overestimate the risks and they need special edu cation about HIV/AIDS, as well as professional help to handle their attitud es toward HIV/AIDS.