HIV/AIDS and its impact on student nurses

This article describes components surrounding British nursing students' (n=138) knowledge base, attitudes towards HIV/AIDS, homophobia level, willingness to care for individuals with HIV/AIDS and attitudes to sexual risk behaviours. The data were collected by questionnaire and analysed by statistical methods. Out of the 33 knowledge questions, the mean value of correct answers was 22.2 (Min 13, Max 29, SD 3.27). Students who had taken care of people with AIDS and who were willing to take care of these people showed more positive attitudes to the disease and people with AIDS. Older age and reluctance to care for a person with AIDS were associated with a high level of homophobic attitudes. Students demonstrated a positive approach to carrying out general nursing tasks for a person with HIV/AIDS. Having been asked to care or having cared for a patient with HIV/AIDS, and being single were associated with a higher level of willingness to care for these patients. Female sex, older age and having children were associated with more cautious attitudes to sexual risk behaviours. The results underline the importance of providing education about HIV/AIDS and supporting student nurses who are afraid they might contract the disease in nursing tasks.     

Attitudes of nursing students towards caring for people with HIV/AIDS: thematic literature review

Title.  Attitudes of nursing students towards caring for people with HIV/AIDS: thematic literature review.
Aim. This paper is a report of a literature review conducted to examine current research studies into attitudes of nursing students towards caring for people with HIV/AIDS and to identify factors that influenced those attitudes to inform current nursing practice and to develop nursing education regarding care provided to people with HIV/AIDS.
Background. Attitudes of nurses towards people living with HIV/AIDS have long been scrutinized. Studies show that some nurses have negative attitudes and are reluctant to provide care to people with HIV/AIDS, resulting in poorer quality nursing support being provided. Attitudes of nursing students towards caring for people with HIV/AIDS is thus of vital importance since they become the future practising nurses.
Data sources.  Eight electronic data bases were searched from 1996–2008.
Review methods.  Criteria used for study selection were: attitudes of nursing students towards caring for people with HIV/AIDS, primary research studies, published in English language in peer reviewed journals from 1996 to June 2008. Sixteen studies were identified for inclusion in this thematic review.
Results.  The following themes were identified: education and knowledge of HIV/AIDS; fear of contracting HIV/AIDS; reluctance to care for people with HIV/AIDS; homophobia; and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion. There is reluctance on the part of some nursing students in specific regions of the world to provide care for people with HIV/AIDS. Educational programmes based on research evidence must play a leading role in developing strategies to help nursing students understand and overcome such attitudes.     

Nursing students' attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients in Finland, Estonia and Lithuania

This paper presents baseline data on attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients and homophobic levels among nursing students in three Baltic Sea countries: Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. The aim is to describe and compare nursing students' attitudes in these three countries and to explore how attitudes towards HIV/AIDS correlate with background variables. The total sample comprised 471 nursing students. The respondents demonstrated average attitude scores towards patients with HIV/AIDS and rather positive attitudes towards homosexually oriented patients. Significant country differences were found, with Finnish nursing students showing the most positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients and homosexually oriented patients. Previous experience of HIV/AIDS patients was the single factor with the greatest positive impact on nursing students' attitudes. Nursing students' willingness to provide care for an HIV/AIDS patient was associated with a positive attitude towards these patients. Length of employment experience correlated negatively with general attitude, and older nursing students with more work experience showed a more negative attitude towards homosexual patients. Proper education to achieve a sound knowledge base and good nursing skills promotes a more positive attitude to HIV/AIDS. It is important that nursing students are sensitive and show respect for the patient's human dignity. There is need for greater harmonization of education in the three countries.     

An investigation into whether nursing students alter their attitudes and knowledge levels regarding HIV infection and AIDS following a 3-year programme leading to registration as a qualified nurse

The purpose of this study was to examine whether a 3-year programme of nursing studies enabled nursing students to graduate from the course with greater knowledge and more positive attitudes towards HIV infection and AIDS than when they began the course. Students on a maths and information technology course were used as controls. The study involved the use of a questionnaire which gathered information about students' experience, knowledge, attitudes and moral judgement regarding HIV infection and AIDS. The experimental hypothesis stated that nursing students show a greater increase in knowledge and positive attitude change towards HIV infection and AIDS than maths students. The results showed significant differences between third year nursing students' knowledge about HIV and AIDS when compared with other groups but it was noted that knowledge levels for all groups was quite low. There was no difference between first and third year nursing students' attitudes and moral judgement about HIV and AIDS but there was a significant difference between nursing students and maths students. It was suggested that there is a need to modify nurse education programmes in order to have greater impact on this topic area.     

Knowledge about, and attitudes to, HIV/AIDS among students in a Sydney nursing college.

The purpose of this study was to assess nursing students' knowledge about HIV infection and AIDS. 231 nursing students at a nursing college in Sydney were invited, and agreed, to participate. They were surveyed on knowledge about transmission, precautions to take when providing nursing care and epidemiology, general attitudes to HIV/AIDS, attitudes to patient-care, risk of infection at work and homosexuality. Two knowledge and four attitude scales were constructed. The students showed a fairly high level of knowledge: a mean percentage score of 78 on the transmission scale and 80 on the precaution scale. They also had some misconceptions about transmission routes. A majority (72%) had favourable attitudes to AIDS patient care; a minority (22%) had a clear fear of contagion through occupational exposure; 26% had negative attitudes to homosexuality. Nursing students with AIDS-care experience had significantly more positive attitudes than those who had no such experience. Knowledge and attitudes were positively correlated (correlation range 0.24-0.46). It is suggested that training programmes include experiential learning to address fear, discomfort and anxieties about HIV/AIDS.     

Are You Positive?: AIDS, Attitudes and Physiotherapy

This study was conducted to find out the attitudes of chartered physiotherapists towards people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A convenience sample of 144 chartered physiotherapists of all grades from nine institutions in the United Kingdom was used in the study. The physiotherapists were surveyed using a self-completion postal questionnaire. The attitude scores were generally high indicating positive attitudes towards people with HIV and AIDS. Statistical analysis using t-tests and ANOVA showed that women were found to have more positive attitudes than men. There were differing attitudes according to age, with those aged 40 plus having less positive attitudes than those aged 39 and under. Those respondents who had worked with people with HIV and AIDS had significantly more positive attitudes than those who had not worked with this client group. Surprisingly, there was no significant difference in attitudes between those who had had training in HIV and AIDS and those who had not. Finally, whether the region was one of high or low prevalence had an effect on attitudes, with those in high prevalence areas having significantly more positive attitudes. The level of significance used in this study was p = > 0.05.     

Undergraduate nursing student's attitudes towards caring for people with HIV/AIDS

The aim of this quantitative study was to determine the attitudes of Australian nursing students towards caring for people with HIV/AIDS. This research study was conducted among second year undergraduate nursing students at a university in South Australia, during August 2007. The survey tool consisted of six demographic questions and the AIDS Attitude Scale. This questionnaire was completed by 396 students, giving a response rate of 94.7%. The vast majority (95.7%) of students participating in this study demonstrated very positive attitudes towards caring for people with HIV/AIDS and only 4.3% demonstrated negative attitudes. No statistically significant differences were found in attitude score based on participants' age, gender, previous HIV/AIDS education, previous nursing experience or previous experience of caring for someone with HIV/AIDS. A statistically significant difference in AIDS attitude score was found in relation to participants' country/region of citizenship, with nursing students from China, East Asia, South East Asia, and Central Asia and Middle East having more negative attitudes than students from other countries/regions. As an increasing number of nursing students have been recruited to Australia from these countries/regions, nurse educators need to be aware of such differences when planning and delivering HIV/AIDS educational programs in tertiary institutions.     

实习护生对艾滋病相关知识掌握情况的调查分析

目的 了解实习护生对艾滋病相关知识掌握情况及影响因素,为有针对性开展健康教育提供依据.方法 用整群抽样法,以班级为单位抽取共计544例实习护生,采取不记名独立填写的方式进行艾滋病认知、态度问卷调查.结果 实习护生对艾滋病知识处于中等水平,平均得分(9.49±3.16)分,对主要传播途径认识正确率为81.40%;对高危行为和安全套等知识掌握仅有42.28%.实习护生对待艾滋病的态度呈中等水平,平均得分(172.11±14.37)分.艾滋病知识水平、态度水平的影响因素为学历、民族以及知识得分.结论 实习护生对艾滋病知识掌握不够,态度有待提高.对实习护生开展健康教育不仅要注重提高知识水平,更要加大对艾滋病的态度及高危行为的教育力度.     

The effect of knowledge on nursing students' attitudes toward individuals with AIDS

The purpose of this study was to determine if increased knowledge changes nursing students' attitudes toward individuals with AIDS. A pretest/post-test design was used to administer a questionnaire, developed and validated in the United States, and adapted for use in this study. Subjects were total population of first to fourth year baccalaureate undergraduate nursing students attending a 1-day AIDS workshop. Questions dealt with knowledge and fears concerning AIDS and caring for AIDS patients, and attitudes toward homosexuality and toward the terminally ill. With the level of significance set at (p less than .05), post-test results indicated that all groups of students displayed a knowledge gain (p = .000) and a more positive attitude toward caring for AIDS patients (p = .001), particularly by e, first and third year students (p = .001). Although positive, younger students and students who had cared for AIDS patients were less positive. In this study, AIDS education had a positive influence on attitudes of nursing students. This finding supports the use of education to foster positive attitudes toward AIDS and individuals with AIDS.     

Attitudes of university students towards HIV/AIDS

The purpose of this study was to assess, in one university in Finland, students' attitudes and feelings towards HIV/AIDS while they were studying for their first year at the University of Oulu. This study is part of a larger research project concerning HIV/AIDS in the Department of Nursing at the University of Oulu. The results can be used in planning and implementing health education for young people. The data were collected by using a questionnaire with both structured and open-ended questions. The study group consisted of 245 students who had started their studies in the autumn of 1993. The data were analysed by using cross tabulation (chi-square test) and inductively by content analysis. The most important source of knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS was television (84%) and 30% of the students had obtained their knowledge from a school nurse. Even when there was a lot of knowledge available to the students, they estimated their knowledge as insufficient and defined HIV more correctly than AIDS. Knowledge did not increase the use of safe sex but limited sexual behaviour. Religion had an importance for sexual behaviour. Female students were more sexually active than male students. The feelings towards HIV/AIDS were more often negative than positive or neutral and the students felt stronger negative feelings towards AIDS than HIV. The negative feelings were often based on fear. The differences between the faculties were minimal.     

临床护生艾滋病知识、态度与护理意愿的研究

目的了解护理实习学生艾滋病知识、态度、护理意愿度其相关性。方法采用问卷方法对68名护理实习生进行现况调查。结果护生的艾滋病知识均分为13．7分，对职业感染、不可能传播HIV的途径等知识回答正确率低。态度均分为0．89分，86．8％护生的态度分为正分，表示同情和支持艾滋病病人。但对因静脉吸毒、性乱、同性恋染上艾滋病者持歧视态度。护理意愿均分为77．7分，有25％的护生表示不愿意为艾滋病病人提供护理。相关分析表明艾滋病知识、态度、护理意愿之间呈显著性相关关系。结论护生艾滋病知识掌握不够全面。对艾滋病病人护理意愿低。本文为此提出相应对策．     

Systematized HIV/AIDS education for student nurses at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria: impact on knowledge, attitudes and compliance with universal precautions

This paper reports the findings of a study which examines changes in a group of Bachelor of Science (BSc) nursing students' perceptions, knowledge of and attitudes towards human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), accruing from attempts at a systematized education for the cohort. Based upon a 3-month study of 141 registered nurses enrolled in a BSc nursing programme at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, it investigates alterations in knowledge and attitudes resulting from intense instruction on HIV/AIDS, AIDS patient care, and compliance with universal precautions. With regard to knowledge enhancement and attitudinal transformation, the research reveals that a number of positive changes occurred over the period of the study. Not only were the nurses better informed about AIDS than previously, but their attitudes towards the disease and patient care had become considerably more liberal, as well as their disposition to comply with universal precautions. The conclusion emphasizes that it is very important for education about HIV/AIDS to be incorporated within current undergraduate and in-service training programmes for Nigerian nurses.     

Educational intervention with international nurses and changes in knowledge, attitudes and willingness to provide care to patients with HIV/AIDS

This paper reports the findings of a study which examines the relationship between the use of an educational intervention with nurses from several Asian countries and changes in knowledge, attitudes and willingness to care for patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). A pre-test and post-test questionnaire was used to collect the data. The results indicate, that whilst there was an improvement in knowledge following the educational intervention, there is a need for further improvement in the knowledge levels of the nurses. The method of contracting the virus is less influential in shaping students' attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. Fear of contagion is evident; this increases when more invasive clinical procedures are being carried out. What is also evident is that multiple levels of infection control protocols are used with patients. Fear of contagion is also apparent in the participants' willingness to work with colleagues and patients with HIV/AIDS. While the participants stated that they were more willing to work with colleagues and patients with HIV/AIDS following the educational intervention, they said that they would continue to take additional precautions for fear of contracting HIV in the workplace. The conclusion emphasizes that it is important for education about HIV/AIDS to be incorporated within current undergraduate and in-service programmes.     

Laboratory Technologists' Attitudes Towards AIDS and AIDS Patients

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of laboratory staff towards AIDS and AIDS patients and related factors. The population consisted of the working-age laboratory technologists living in Finland (n = 5 973). A sample of 249 laboratory technologists was selected from the register of the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health using systematic random selection. The material was collected with a questionnaire. The younger laboratory technologists had more knowledge about AIDS than the older ones, and those who had more knowledge about AIDS had a more positive attitude than those with less knowledge. The attitudes were connected with the way the disease was contracted: the most positive attitudes were expressed towards the patients who had contracted AIDS through blood transfusion and the most negative towards the patients who had contracted AIDS from non-sterile needles. The factor analysis yielded six factors representing attitudes. The fear factor explained most (19%) of the laboratory technologists' attitudes towards AIDS and AIDS patients. The older laboratory technologists were more afraid of work-related infections than the younger ones. The laboratory technologists with adequate knowledge of AIDS were less afraid of contracting the virus than those with little knowledge. They wanted information mainly on the care of AIDS patients, on how to respond to them and on the ways AIDS is transmitted.     

Rural nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS: a research brief.

The purpose of this study was to explore rural student nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about caring for people with HIV/AIDS. The results from this study were consistent with other past studies where judgmental attitudes toward patients with HIV/AIDS were demonstrated. Data indicate that nursing students' attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge about HIV/AIDS have not changed over the past decade. Based on these findings, many implications for nurse educators exist. Nurse educators need to examine approaches to teaching about HIV/AIDS that can increase knowledge and influence the actual treatment of individuals who have this disease. In addition, the focus for rural nursing programs should be on increasing the understanding of the impact of HIV/AIDS on rural communities and to help project future needs for HIV/AIDS-related services.     

544名实习护生艾滋病知识及态度的调查

目的了解实习护生对艾滋病相关知识、态度及相关影响因素,为有针对性地在实习护生中开展健康教育,进行艾滋病流行的干预提供依据。方法用整群抽样法,以班级为单位抽取共计558例实习护生,采取不记名自填问卷的方式进行艾滋病认知、态度问卷调查。结果实习护生对艾滋病知识处于中等水平,得分（9.49±3.16）分;对传播途径认识错误方面,62.5%认为感染HIV的孕妇分娩的婴儿也是HIV感染者、55.3%认为共用浴盆、游泳池传染HIV;在对高危行为认识错误中,44.3%认为肛交不传播,40%认为多个性伴侣不易传播;实习护生对待艾滋病的态度不容乐观,呈中等水平,得分（172.11±14.37）分。结论实习护生对艾滋病知识掌握不够,态度有待提高。对实习护生开展健康教育不仅要注重知识水平的提高,态度及高危行为的教育也很重要。     

Nursing students' attitudes toward AIDS

A study of 177 baccalaureate nursing students was conducted to explore their knowledge, fears, beliefs and other attitudes regarding AIDS. Lazarus' theory related to coping with threatening events provided the theoretical framework. Students with a high fear score were less willing to care for AIDS patients, had higher knowledge scores, and were more homophobic. While 96.6% of the students felt that AIDS patients are entitled to the same care as any other patient, 49% preferred not to care for AIDS patients. Thirty-six percent thought nursing students should not be assigned to care for AIDS patients. Most of the students (70.6%) got their information about AIDS from the media. Nursing faculty must respond by including current, correct information when instructing students about AIDS. Faculty also need to provide opportunities for students to ask questions and share their fears regarding AIDS.     

Knowledge and perception of AIDS among Canadian nurses

Within the growing literature on AIDS, relatively little attention has been paid to the public's knowledge and perception of the disease. Even less is known about nurse's understanding of, and attitudes towards AIDS, even though in large part, the treatment and care of AIDS patients rests in their hands. As a partial corrective to this deficiency, this study offers a comparative examination of AIDS-related beliefs and attitudes held by nursing practitioners and nursing students in Canada. Briefly stated, what the research reveals is that Canadian nurses are less than fully informed about the disease and have over-cautious attitudes towards the care of AIDS patients. Among nursing students, lack of information is also a serious problem, although this group does tend to view AIDS patient care in a somewhat more liberal manner. It is apparent from these results that more attention needs to be paid to enhancing knowledge of, and changing attitudes towards, AIDS in the education of Canadian nurses.