A cross-sectional analysis of variables impacting on AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among employees of a Minnesota teaching hospital

We examined variables that were correlated with the AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among employees of a 455-bed acute-care Minnesota teaching hospital and its associated clinics, located in a low-prevalence area for HIV infection. In August 1987, an anonymous questionnaire was sent via interdepartmental mail to all employees (2,980), including 270 physicians. The four-page survey obtained demographic information and measured 14 variables, including degree of homosexual bias, degree of homophobia, and AIDS-related knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, and anxiety level. Responses were obtained from 2,351 (79%) of the employees. By multivariate analysis, the following variables were highly correlated with positive behaviors and attitudes toward AIDS patients (p less than .0001): lower homophobia scores, higher AIDS knowledge scores, expressed confidence in AIDS-related medical information, and a greater number of previous contacts with AIDS patients. Those with a family member or close friend with AIDS also showed more positive attitudes and behaviors (p less than .02). Level of education was correlated with knowledge about AIDS (p less than .0001) but was not correlated (p greater than .05) with more positive behaviors or attitudes inrelation to AIDS patients. Educational efforts should attempt to improve hospital employees' knowledge about AIDS and their confidence in AIDS-related medical information. Efforts to address homophobia should also be considered.