DiscussionThe fact that a substantial proportion of HCWs believed that HIV could be transmitted by contact with saliva, urine and faeces, mosquitoes, coughing and sneezing, and sharing plates, cups and spoons indicated that knowledge about HIV transmission was incomplete. It was also of concern that 25 per cent were unaware that HIV could be transmitted through breastfeeding and 26 per cent did not know that tattooing was a risk for HIV transmission. This indicates that HCWs in rural north India require more training regarding the ways by which HIV is and is not transmitted. It is especially important that the risk of transmission through breastfeeding is better understood, so that HIV-positive pregnant women receive appropriate and consistent advice.
|
