Dental students' intention to treat people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA): an application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (E-TPB).

Abstract

Limited evidence exists regarding dental students' intentions to treat People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study aimed to examine the factors associated with intentions to treat PLWHA among students at the Tel Aviv University School of Dental Medicine using an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (E-TPB) framework. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 2024 and January 2025 among a convenience sample of 302 dental students. The questionnaire assessed TPB variables (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) as well as extended constructs, including self-efficacy, moral norms, altruism, HIV-related knowledge, risk perceptions, and protective perceptions. Data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Participants reported moderate intentions to treat PLWHA. The final SEM demonstrated good fit to the data and explained 51% of the variance in intention-to-treat PLWHA. Moral norms emerged as the strongest predictor of intention, followed by self-efficacy, emotional attitudes, and instrumental attitudes. Subjective norms, risk perceptions, and protective perceptions did not demonstrate significant unique associations with intention in the final model. These findings suggest that ethical responsibility, confidence in one's ability to provide care, and positive evaluations of treating PLWHA play a central role in shaping dental students' intentions to provide care. Educational interventions targeting these factors may help promote equitable oral healthcare for PLWHA.