Knowledge and attitudes of nursing students toward patients living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV): A Turkish perspective

Attitudes Toward Caring for People Living with HIV/AIDS: A Cross-Sectional Study of Nursing Faculty in Six Countries

Background:

Since the earliest study about nursing faculty and student attitudes about caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in 1992, there have been less than 20 additional studies reported in the literature. Yet, PLHIV continues to report stigma and experience discrimination. Nursing faculty attitudes are part of the informal curriculum. Negativity about caring for PLHIV can adversely impact student perceptions as well as their care. Current research in this area is essentially non-existent.

Objective:

To describe the attitudes of the university nursing faculty toward caring for PLHIV; and to identify the relationship between faculty attitudes and explanatory factors such as age, education, religion, nationality, teaching in a clinical setting, years of experience, and university attributes.

Methods:

This was a multicenter cross-sectional study with nonrandomized electronic purposeful sampling. The Healthcare Provider HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale (HPASS) is a 30-item scale with three subscales: Prejudice, stereotype, and discrimination. The English and Spanish versions of the HPASS exhibit stable psychometric properties for cross-cultural research. The HPASS was delivered to university nursing faculty in six countries across three continents.

Results:

A sample of 368 nursing faculty completed the HPASS. The mean composite score was 2.41 (SD = 0.69), six-point scale with lower scores indicating more positive attitudes, with subscale scores: Stereotypes 2.55 (SD = 0.84), discrimination 2.28 (SD = 0.74), and prejudices 2.41 (SD = 0.63). Peruvian faculty had the highest scores while Canadian had the lowest. Significant correlations were observed between attitudes and the three subscales, and between the three subscales and the composite score.

Conclusion:

Attitudes of the nursing faculty toward caring for PLHIV were slightly positive to slightly negative depending on the region and country. Knowledge deficiencies about HIV persist, incorrect beliefs are common, and attitudes appear to be influenced by culture. The correlation between subscales justifies continued research to implement targeted interventions. Education about HIV/AIDS can address knowledge deficits while structured interactions with PLHIV can facilitate experiential learning.

Faculty Attitudes About Caring for People Living With HIV/AIDS: A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) experience stigma and discrimination. Negative attitudes of nursing faculty about caring for PLHIV can adversely affect student perceptions and their nursing care. The study purpose was to describe nursing faculty attitudes and beliefs about caring for PLHIV.

METHOD

The HPASS (Healthcare Provider HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale), Spanish version, was delivered to nursing faculty in Colombia and Peru.

RESULTS

The HPASS was completed by 98 nursing faculty. The overall mean score was 2.41 (SD = 0.69), with subscale scores: stereotypes, 2.55 (SD = 0.84); discrimination, 2.28 (SD = 0.74); and prejudices, 2.41 (SD = 0.63). Peruvian faculty had the highest scores, statistically correlated with the importance of religion, whereas Colombia had the lowest.

CONCLUSION

Nursing faculty attitudes toward PLHIV were slightly positive in Colombia to slightly negative in Peru; however, both countries had negative stereotypes. Knowledge deficiencies about HIV persist and attitudes appear to be influenced by culture and religion. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(12):712-717.].

Bachelor of Nursing students' HIV and AIDS knowledge in KwaZulu-Natal province: An evaluation study

BACKGROUND

 Currently, human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV and AIDS) education and training in nursing suffer from various inadequacies and lack any real formalisation in their governance. As a result, Bachelor of Nursing students find themselves challenged in providing effective HIV and AIDS healthcare management, largely because of the deficit in training identified. An HIV and AIDS education intervention programme was introduced at a selected KwaZulu-Natal university to assist in bridging the perceived knowledge gap. This article communicates programme evaluation findings.

OBJECTIVES

 The aim of this article was to determine levels of HIV knowledge achieved following an HIV education intervention programme.

METHODS

 A pure, descriptive quantitative research design was employed, using total population sampling (N = 133). A modified G3658-11 Collecting Evaluation Data: End-of-Session Questionnaire, developed by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, was administered for data collection.

RESULTS

 Females predominated in the study, and most participants were African with 1 to 3 years of education programme exposure. Perceived HIV knowledge increase was evident: pathophysiology (n = 93, 70.2%); immunology (n = 97, 72.9%); transmission (n = 116, 87.5%); diagnosis (n = 109, 81.8%); prevention strategies (n = 118, 88.4%); staging and monitoring (n = 106, 80%); pre- and post-test counselling (n = 104, 78%).

CONCLUSION

 Pre- and ongoing in-service HIV and AIDS training can improve perceived HIV knowledge levels for both nursing students and professionals. Mandatory HIV and AIDS healthcare management training is therefore recommended in planning for its effective impartation by nursing educators.

Conflict between nursing student's personal beliefs and professional nursing values

BACKGROUND

Studies have established that negative perceptions of people living with HIV/AIDS exist among nursing students throughout the world, perceptions which can be detrimental to the delivery of high-quality nursing care.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this research was to explore socio-cultural influences on the perceptions of nursing students towards caring for people living with HIV/AIDS.

RESEARCH DESIGN

The study was guided by stigma theory, a qualitative descriptive research approach was adopted. Data collected via semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT

Participants were 21 international and Australian undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing programme at an Australian university.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Ethical approval was granted by the Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee at the study university. Participation was entirely voluntary; informed consent was obtained before the study commenced; confidentiality and anonymity were assured.

FINDINGS

Three major themes were found: blame, othering and values. Complex and interrelated factors constructed participant perceptions of people living with HIV/AIDS, perceptions underscored by the prevailing culturally construed blame and othering associated with HIV/AIDS. The study found discordance between the negative personal beliefs and perceptions some nursing students have towards people living with HIV/AIDS, and the professional values expected of them as Registered Nurses.

DISCUSSION

There was considerable commonality between this and previous studies on how homosexuality and illicit drug use were perceived and stigmatised, correlating with the blame directed towards people living with HIV/AIDS. These perceptions indicated some nursing students potentially risked not fulfilling the ethical and professional obligations the Registered Nurse.

CONCLUSION

Nursing curriculum should be strengthened in relation to comprehending the meaning of being stigmatised by society. Educational institutions need to work towards enhancing strategies that assist nursing students to reconcile any incongruity between their personal beliefs and requisite professional nursing values.

PREDICTORS OF MALE CIRCUMCISION AMONG MEN AGED 15-35 YEARS IN HARARE, ZIMBABWE

Medical male circumcision has been recommended by the World Health Organization as part of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention. Zimbabwe is one of the fourteen sub-Saharan countries that embarked on the Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) programme. However, the country has not yet met male circumcision targets. This paper examines the predictors of male circumcision in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 784 men aged 15-35 years in Harare, Zimbabwe. Negative log-log logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of male circumcision. The main predictors of circumcision were age, employment status, ever tested for HIV, approval of HIV testing prior to circumcision, knowledge about male circumcision and attitudes towards male circumcision. By and large, participants had good knowledge about male circumcision and viewed HIV prevention with a reasonably positive attitude. The identification of these predictors can be used to scale up the demand for male circumcision in Zimbabwe.

Culturally construed beliefs and perceptions of nursing students and the stigma impacting on people living with AIDS: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Since HIV and AIDS were discovered, studies have demonstrated that negative perceptions and reluctance to provide care to affected people persist among nursing students throughout the world. This leads to poor quality care.

OBJECTIVES

To report on a study that explored socio-cultural influences on the perceptions of international nursing students toward caring for people living with HIV/AIDS.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive research design, guided by stigma theory, was utilised. Participants were 21 international and Australian undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing program at an Australian university. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews in 2009 and 2011; manual thematic analysis was performed on interview data.

FINDINGS

Three major themes emerged: blame; othering; values. Perceptions were influenced by complex, interrelated factors and underscored by culturally construed blame and othering. People living with HIV/AIDS were perceived as alien and assumed as homosexuals, drug users, or promiscuous. They were labelled 'bad people'. Many participants were compassionate but others struggled with differences between their personal values and professional values expected of a Registered Nurse. There was considerable variation in the degree to which participants were willing to embrace different perspectives and values.

CONCLUSION

Nursing curricula is vital to patient health and wellbeing and requires increased focus on the impact of HIV/AIDS. It is important for educators to recognise that simply providing information to students does not necessarily change their existing stigmatising perceptions. By addressing the effect of being stigmatised and marginalised by society nursing care to all patients will be enhanced. Students must also reflect on their perceptions and values so as to embrace diversity.

Mapping HIV Nursing Core Competencies in Entry-Level Education: A Pilot Project

BACKGROUND

Many nursing specialty groups in Canada have developed their own entry-to-practice frameworks to inform nursing curricula. This article focuses on the framework of HIV/AIDS core competencies developed by the Canadian Association of Nurses in HIV/AIDS Care.

METHOD

The goal of this pilot project was to map the courses offered in one entry-level program to assess the applicability of the framework as a tool to inform curriculum development.

RESULTS

This project highlighted competencies that were well covered in the current courses offered in the program, as well as existing gaps. To address these gaps, five areas of improvement were identified.

CONCLUSION

The gaps and areas of improvement identified in this project are similar those identified in the nursing literature. As such, they reinforce the importance of incorporating education and training in entry-level programs with actual clinical experiences with and exposure to people living with HIV.

Nursing Students' Willingness to Care for Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients in the Future

Recent studies in various countries have shown controversy regarding students' willingness to care for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients as well as factors associated with students' decisions about this issue. This survey, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, explored factors associated with Israeli nursing students' willingness to care for HIV-infected patients in the future. The results suggest that appropriate education and experience in caring for HIV-infected patients are critical for improving students' willingness to care for these patients.

Assessing Knowledge of, and Attitudes to, HIV/AIDS among University Students in the United Arab Emirates

BACKGROUND

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the top two regions in the world with the fastest growing HIV epidemic. In this context, risks and vulnerability are high as the epidemic is on the rise with evidence indicating significantly increasing HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the survey was to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/AIDS among a wide group of university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

METHODS

In a cross-sectional survey, a total sample of 2,294 students (406 male; 1,888 female) from four universities in three different Emirates in the UAE were approached to take part in the study. Students self-completed a questionnaire that was designed to measure their knowledge and attitudes to HIV/AIDS.

RESULTS

The overall average knowledge score of HIV.AIDS was 61%. Non-Emirati and postgraduates demonstrated higher levels of knowledge compared to Emirati and undergraduate students respectively. No significant differences between males and females; and marital status were found. Eighty-five percent of students expressed negative attitudes towards people living with HIV, with Emirati and single students significantly holding more negative attitudes compared to non-Emiratis and those that are married respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide strong evidence that there is a need to advocate for appropriate National HIV/AIDS awareness raising campaigns in universities to reduce the gaps in knowledge and decrease stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Beliefs about Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) among a Sample of Health Care Providers in Haiti

Background

Haiti has the highest number of people living with HIV infection in the Caribbean/Latin America region. Medical male circumcision (MMC) has been recommended to help prevent the spread of HIV. We sought to assess knowledge, attitudes, practices and beliefs about MMC among a sample of health care providers in Haiti.

Methods

A convenience sample of 153 health care providers at the GHESKIO Centers in Haiti responded to an exploratory survey that collected information on several topics relevant to health providers about MMC. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the responses and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine opinions of health care providers about the best age to perform MMC on males. Bayesian network analysis and sensitivity analysis were done to identify the minimum level of change required to increase the acceptability of performing MMC at age less than 1 year.

Results

The sample consisted of medical doctors (31.0%), nurses (49.0%), and other health care professionals (20.0%). Approximately 76% showed willingness to offer MMC services if they received training. Seventy-six percent believed that their male patients would accept circumcision, and 59% believed infancy was the best age for MMC. More than 90% of participants said that MMC would reduce STIs. Physicians and nurses who were willing to offer MMC if provided with adequate training were 2.5 (1.15–5.71) times as likely to choose the best age to perform MMC as less than one year. Finally, if the joint probability of choosing “the best age to perform MMC” as one year or older and having the mistaken belief that "MMC prevents HIV entirely" is reduced by 63% then the probability of finding that performing MMC at less than one year acceptable to health care providers is increased by 35%.

Conclusion

Participants demonstrated high levels of knowledge and positive attitudes towards MMC. Although this study suggests that circumcision is acceptable among certain health providers in Haiti, studies with larger and more representative samples are needed to confirm this finding.

Predictors for compliance of standard precautions among nursing students

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the frequency of standard precautions (SPs) compliance and the factors affecting the compliance among nursing students (NSs).

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey study guided by the health belief model was conducted in 2009. The study questionnaire is valid (content validity index, 0.81) and reliable (Cronbach α range, 0.65-0.94).

RESULTS

There were 678 questionnaires analyzed, with a response rate of 68.9%. The mean frequency score of SPs compliance was 4.38 ± 0.40 out of 5. Tukey honest significant difference post hoc test indicated that year 2 and year 4 students had better SPs compliance than year 3 students. Further analysis using a univariate general linear model identified an interaction effect of perceived influence of nursing staff and year of study (F1,593 = 3.72; P < .05). The 5 following predictors for SPs compliance were identified: knowledge of SPs, perceived barriers, adequacy of training, management support, and influence of nursing staff.

CONCLUSION

Although the SPs compliance among NSs was high, the compliance varied by year of study and was affected by the nursing staff. Furthermore, SPs compliance among NSs can be enhanced by increasing SPs knowledge, providing more SPs training, promoting management support, reducing identified SPs barriers, and improving nursing staff compliance to SPs.

Turkish and American Undergraduate Students' Attitudes Toward HIV/AIDS Patients: A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a complex healthcare problem. Research has demonstrated that negative attitudes affect healthcare provision.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to compare nursing students' attitudes using the AIDS Attitude Scale (AAS).

SETTINGS

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in nursing schools in Istanbul, Turkey, and in Upstate New York (NY).

PARTICIPANTS

Baccalaureate nursing students (n = 613) from both countries completed the questionnaire.

METHODS

Demographic data, overall AAS attitudes, and attitudes within each subscale were compared. Analyses included frequency and percentages of the grouped variables, arithmetic means and standard deviations, t-test for independent samples, and multiple analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Upstate NY students' mean total AAS scores were significantly more positive toward HIV+ patients than Turkish students'. Scores for Professional Resistance and Emotions subscales were significantly more positive for the Upstate NY students, but Fear of Contagion was not. Upstate NY students had more negative attitudes in the contexts of job risk and eating in a restaurant where the chef has AIDS; more professional resistance to referring patients and training specialists for HIV/AIDS patients; and lower tender feelings for people with HIV/AIDS (p < .01 for each).

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement in students' attitudes is beneficial for promoting nonjudgmental, compassionate care for the HIV+ population.

Willingness to take care of HIV positive people: Responses from Russian nursing students

This article is a report of a study on Russian nursing students’ willingness to take care of people living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA). HIV and AIDS are continuing to spread in Russia. Nursing students’ willingness to care for people living with HIV or AIDS is one aspect that should also be taken in consideration on this transmission situation. In total, 102 nursing students participated in the study (the response rate was 95.3%). The data were collected using the Nurse Willingness Questionnaire (NWQ) and analysed using SPSS version 15 for Windows. The study showed that nursing students’ willingness to care for PLWHA was low when asked with one general question but quite high when asked more specifically related to some nursing activities. Nursing students were more willing to perform clean nursing activities than activities with infectious risk. There is a great need for improving understanding of and proficiency in safety work with HIV-infected patients.

Russian nursing students' knowledge level and attitudes in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - a descriptive study

Background

The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of Russian nursing students regarding HIV and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and their attitudes towards caring for people/patients living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA - People Living With HIV/AIDS) and their possible homophobic attitudes. The HIV epidemic in Russia is substantial and increasing rapidly. Hence this study provides important new information regarding this phenomenon.

Methods

The data was collected by questionnaire from students in three nursing schools (n = 102, response rate 95.3%). The data was analyzed using PASW Statistics version 18. For computing the level of the students’ AIDS knowledge, all correct answers were recorded as equal to (1), while all incorrect and “Don’t know” answers were recorded as equal to (0). Each respondent’s scores were totaled and individual scores were analyzed using regression analysis. The effect of demographic variables on the average scores of attitudes was also subjected to regression analysis.

Results

Overall, students’ knowledge level regarding HIV and AIDS was moderate (range 5–26). Of a maximum score of 33, the mean of correct answers was 19.8 (SD = 3.70). Nursing students’ attitudes were quite negative and they also demonstrated homophobic attitudes. The mean scale score for nursing students’ general attitude was 2.75, and for homophobic attitudes it was 3.3 (min = 1, max = 5). Only the background factor of gender correlated with the homophobic level demonstrated (p = .05, β = −.67). Nursing students’ overall willingness to provide care for PLWHA was associated with their attitudes (p = .003, β = −.534).

Conclusions

Given that the HIV epidemic in Russia is both substantial and increasing, it is essential to improve HIV nursing education to provide sufficient and up-to-date information about HIV and also to prepare nursing students for caring for PLWHA. In doing so, this may help to address both the deficits in student knowledge, and also modify their attitude towards PLWHA.

Patient and provider perspectives on HIV and HIV-related stigma in Dutch health care settings

Ensuring that people living with HIV (PLWH) feel accepted in health care settings is imperative. This mixed methods study explored the perspectives of PLWH and health professionals on their interactions. A total of 262 predominantly gay men of Dutch origin participated in a survey study of possible negative interactions with health professionals, and semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted with 22 PLWH and 14 health professionals. Again, most PLWH were gay men of Dutch origin. All health professionals were Dutch. PLWH reported negative experiences with health professionals including awkward interactions, irrelevant questions, rude treatment, blame, pity, excessive or differential precautions, care refusal, unnecessary referrals, delayed treatment, poor support, and confidentiality breaches. They also reported positive experiences including equal treatment, being valued as a partner in one's health, social support provision, and confidentiality assurances. Health professionals reported having little experience with PLWH and only basic knowledge of HIV. They contended that PLWH are treated equally and that HIV is no longer stigmatized, but also reported fear of occupational infection, resulting in differential precautions. Additionally, they conveyed labeling PLWH's files to warn others, and curiosity regarding how patients acquired HIV. The findings suggest that there is a gap in perception between PLWH and health professionals regarding the extent to which negative interactions occur, and that these interactions should be improved. Implications for stigma reduction and care optimization are discussed.

Emotional labour and compassionate care: what's the relationship?

BACKGROUND

Malawi is one of the countries in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa severely affected by the HIV pandemic. This being the case, student nurses' clinical encounters include caring for patients with HIV and AIDS.

OBJECTIVES

The study explored the clinical learning experience of undergraduate nursing students in Malawi, with the aim of understanding the nature of their experience.

DESIGN

This was a hermeneutic phenomenological study.

SETTING

The study took place at a university nursing college in Malawi.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty undergraduate nursing students were purposively selected.

METHODS

Conversational interviews were conducted and a framework developed by modifying Colaizzi's procedural steps guided the phenomenological analysis.

RESULTS

The participants reported their experience during the early years of their studies and their current experience at the time of the study, depicting them as novice and senior students respectively. The study findings demonstrated an overt fear of contracting HIV infection among novice nursing students. Such fear led students to deliberately avoid taking care of HIV positive patients and develop a sense of legitimate emotional detachment. However, as students progressed in their studies, and their knowledge and experiences increased, they realised that HIV and AIDS patients needed support and empathy. The learning trajectory demonstrate a gradual change from emotional detachment based on fear to a sense of emotional engagement built on knowledge, experiential insights and the notion of emotions management that led to the provision of care driven by compassion as opposed to anxiety.

CONCLUSION

The findings illustrate that nursing students need to work on their emotions to provide compassionate care. This is consistent with the concept of emotional labour and the paper argues that undertaking emotional labour is essential in promoting compassionate care.

Attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients and empathic tendencies: a study of Turkish undergraduate nursing students

BACKGROUND

Studies indicate that the attitudes of nurses, nursing students, and other health care professionals towards Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients are affected by cultural differences and the fear of HIV/AIDS infection, resulting in both negative attitudes and reluctance to care for these patients. Empathy is critical for all health professionals in the delivery of effective care. Research indicates that as empathic tendencies develop, so do better communication skills, better attitudes, and better quality of care.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among demographic factors, familiarity with HIV/AIDS, attitudes towards HIV/AIDS, and empathic tendencies in a Turkish sample of nursing students.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Using a non-experimental, correlational design, data on demographics, HIV/AIDS Attitude Scale (AAS) and the Scale of Empathic Tendency (SET) were collected.

PARTICIPANTS

The study sample consisted of 614 undergraduate nursing students in two universities located in different geographic regions of Turkey.

RESULTS

The results of this study indicated that attitudes and empathic tendencies are related to knowledge and exposure to patients. As well, those students with more positive attitudes had higher empathic tendencies towards HIV/AIDS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to adopt strategies to improve the empathic tendencies and attitudes of nursing students. These strategic changes would increase the quality of care provided to all patients.

Medical and Nursing Students Perceived Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices concerning Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Objective. To assess medical and nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Fiji. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 275 medical and 252 nursing students that participated in a questionnaire survey on HIV KAP. Data was analysed according to their gender, program of study, and academic year. Results. The mean HIV knowledge (HK) and attitude scores were 16.0 and 41.3, respectively. Mean HK score was significantly higher in males compared to females. Significant positive correlations were found between HK and academic year for medical (R=0.459) and nursing (R=0.342) students and between HK and attitude scores (R=0.196). The majority of students indicated fear in contracting HIV through clinical practice and felt that health care workers have the right to know a patients HIV status for their own safety. The majority would wear gloves to touch a patient if suspected of HIV. Conclusions. The study found a high level of HIV knowledge and positive attitude towards HIV patients. However, respondents also displayed negative attitudes and unacceptable practices probably due to fear. Training institutions need to ensure that students gain accurate knowledge on HIV especially on transmission routes to allay the fear of caring for HIV-infected patients.

Turkish nursing students' knowledge of and attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To assess nursing students' knowledge of and attitudes towards such patients and to determine the variables associated with students' knowledge and attitudes towards them.

BACKGROUND

Improving nurses' and nursing students' knowledge and attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS is vital for providing quality care for such patients.

DESIGN

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at three nursing schools located in two different cities in Turkey. The inclusion criteria for the nursing students were as follows: being at least 18 years old; being a first-, second-, third- or fourth-year nursing student; and giving consent to participate in the research.

METHODS

The sample comprised 580 nursing students. The study used three data collection tools: (1) the Student Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, (2) the HIV/AIDS Knowledge Questionnaire and (3) the HIV/AIDS Attitude Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Participants' knowledge was found to be insufficient, particularly with regard to HIV transmission routes. They generally had positive attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS. However, they expressed some concerns and were hesitant about working with AIDS and HIV-positive patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results reveal that nursing students still have misconceptions and a lack of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and that their attitudes need to be improved.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Improving education programmes about HIV/AIDS and using information sources effectively may contribute to better knowledge and more desirable attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.

Knowledge and perceptions of HIV/AIDS among Cameroonian nursing students

The HIV/AIDS pandemic impacts people throughout the world and is complicated by fear, prejudice, and stigma. Nurses play a major role in the health care delivery systems, yet in many parts of the world with high HIV sero-prevalence rates, nurses lack sufficient training and education to provide care to patients with HIV/AIDS. In an effort to build capacity and improve knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding care of patients with HIV/AIDS, a 4-day workshop was provided by American nursing students for Cameroonian nursing students. The training program included HIV epidemiology, disease management, and natural course of the disease, testing, legal and ethical issues, and infection control practices. Pre- and post-test scores were calculated using a series of surveys that measured HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Results indicated that these measures of HIV-related perceptions improved due to the train-the-trainer workshop.

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of pharmacy and nursing students towards male circumcision and HIV in a KwaZulu-Natal University, South Africa

Background

Male circumcision is currently being promoted in South Africa as a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention method. Effective implementation requires that healthcare providers should believe in the procedure's efficacy and should possess a positive attitude. A study was undertaken amongst pharmacy and nursing students with different objectives.

Objectives

To ascertain students’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding male circumcision and (HIV) prevention.

Method

A descriptive cross-sectional study using anonymous questionnaires was undertaken amongst 4th year pharmacy and nursing students studying at a university in KwaZulu-Natal, after obtaining their consent. Data were captured and analysed using SPSS version 15.

Results

A response rate of 83.18% and a mean knowledge score of 66.43% with relatively positive attitudes (62.7) were obtained; 85.4% of the respondents felt that promoting male circumcision is appropriate, with all Muslim students (n < 11) supporting the promotion of male circumcision. Even though all Muslim students supported male circumcision, only 3 students were willing to perform the procedure if adequately trained (p < 0.03). The majority of the female students were unwilling to perform the procedure (p < 0.005). A third of the respondents indicated that male circumcision would both undermine existing protective behaviours and strategies as well as increase riskier sexual behaviour. Over 54% of the respondents believed that the South African Health System would be able to cope with the massive male circumcision drive. The majority of the respondents favoured the procedure to be done at birth. Pain was cited as the most important reason for not wanting to be circumcised.

Conclusion

Pharmacy and nursing students have a moderate knowledge of male circumcision and HIV prevention with relatively positive attitudes. The majority felt that promoting male circumcision is appropriate and should be encouraged.

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.

Knowledge and attitudes of Jordanian nurses towards patients with HIV/AIDS: findings from a nationwide survey

This study explored the knowledge and attitudes of Jordanian nurses toward patients with HIV/AIDS, particularly in regards to their sources of information and education. This survey utilized a cross-sectional design. A self-administered questionnaire developed by Eckstein was used in collecting the data. A total of 922 nurses completed the questionnaire. Overall, Jordanian nurses expressed negative attitudes toward patients with HIV/AIDS, and their level of HIV/AIDS knowledge was weak. Weak knowledge level was recorded among nurses in the following subsections: agent and immunology; course and manifestation; transmission and incidence; and precaution and prevention. Only in one subsection (risk group), did nurses show a good level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. More than two-thirds of nurses (84%) refused to provide care to patients who tested positive for HIV/AIDS. Most of the nurse participants believed that currently provided HIV/AIDS information resources were inadequate (81.4 %). The majority of nurses were interested in support groups for staff nurses (96.5%). The major source of HIV/AIDS information obtained by Jordanian nurses was through Internet web sites (52.7%). The majority of nurses (96.2%) ranked their fear of getting AIDS from their nursing practice as overwhelming. The total attitude of participants towards patients with HIV/AIDS in all five subsections (i.e., fear of contagion, social stigma, fatal outcome of the disease, direct care, and education and counseling) was negative (84.3%). Accurate knowledge about HIV/AIDS along with an in-depth understanding of patients? needs can help alleviate much of the fear, anxiety, and stigma associated with caring for patients with HIV/AIDS.

Nursing and midwife students' willingness to provide care to patients with HIV/AIDS--a comparative study in Finland, Estonia and Lithuania

This article presents results on nursing and midwife students' willingness to care for patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). An international cross-sectional survey design was used and the data were collected from educational institutions in Finland (N=169), Estonia (N=132) and Lithuania (N=170) between autumn 2005 and spring 2006. Participants (N=471) were nursing and midwife students training to be RN, public health nurses or midwives. A modified version of a scale developed by Duppert et al. (1994) was applied to measure willingness to care for patients with HIV/AIDS. The study found a general willingness on the part of students to provide care for patients with HIV/AIDS. However, nursing and midwife students willingness varied between countries and was also related to specific nursing interventions. Factors associated with students willingness also varied within each country, depending on nurses' age, nursing experience (Finland), positive attitudes to treating patients with HIV/AIDS in general (Finland, Estonia), and previous experience in taking care of a patient with HIV/AIDS (Lithuania). It is important to develop strategies for nursing vulnerable patient populations and international nursing curricula to identify prejudicial thinking and intolerance towards patients with HIV/AIDS.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of students from a medicine faculty, dentistry faculty, and medical technology Vocational Training School toward HIV/AIDS

OBJECTIVES

With increasing numbers of HIV/AIDS patients, physicians, dentists, and nurses taking care of these patients should have sufficient knowledge of the disease, and their attitude and behaviour should be proper. In our study, we aimed to examine the level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among students from a medicine faculty, dentistry faculty, and medical technology vocational training school, to investigate attitudes and behaviour, and differences between first- and last-year students (if any) and to determine students' perception of the importance of this disease for our country and our world.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This descriptive study comprised first-year and last-year students of Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University Medical Technology Vocational Training School (MTVTS), and Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Dentistry. A questionnaire was administered to a total of 357 students.

RESULTS

Lack of the relevant education is obvious among all three occupational groups in our study.

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of HIV/AIDS as a public health problem all over the world should be emphasized more, and awareness of all humanity should be augmented.

Effectiveness of a knowledge-contact program in improving nursing students' attitudes and emotional competence in serving people living with HIV/AIDS

This study compared the effectiveness of an AIDS knowledge-only program (knowledge) with a combined program of AIDS knowledge and contact with people having HIV/AIDS (PHA) (knowledge-contact) in reducing nursing students' stigma and discrimination towards PHA and in enhancing their emotional competence to serve PHA. Eighty-nine nursing students from two universities in Hong Kong were randomly assigned to either the knowledge or the knowledge-contact condition. All participants completed measures of AIDS knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes, fear of contagion, willingness to treat, positive affect, and negative affect at pre-test, post-test, and six-week follow-up. Findings showed that in both groups, significant improvement in AIDS knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes, fear of contagion, willingness to treat, and negative affect were found at post-test. The effects on AIDS knowledge, fear of contagion, willingness to treat, and negative affect were sustained at follow-up for both groups. Intergroup comparisons at post-test showed that the effectiveness of knowledge-contact program was significantly greater than knowledge program in improving stigmatizing attitudes. No significant difference between the two groups was found at follow-up. Findings showed the short-term effect of contact in improving nursing students' attitudes and emotional competence in serving PHA. Implications for research and training of nursing staff were discussed.

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.

HIV/AIDS and universal precautions: knowledge and attitudes of Nepalese nursing students

AIM

This paper is a report of a study exploring Nepalese nursing students' knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS and universal precautions.

BACKGROUND

Nepal is facing an HIV epidemic, and nurses are primary caregivers for people living with HIV/AIDS. Insufficient knowledge and negative attitudes on the part of nursing students translate into fear, stigmatization and unwillingness to care for patients with HIV/AIDS.

METHOD

Data were collected in 2005 for this cross-sectional study in which we examined HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and universal precautions in three levels of Nepalese nursing students (N = 127). Instruments included the HIV/AIDS Knowledge Questionnaire, HIV/AIDS Attitudes Questionnaire, HIV/AIDS Transmission Attitudes Questionnaire and Universal Precautions Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were employed to examine socio-demographic data. One-way anova, with level in school as the between-groups factor, were calculated to examine students' knowledge and attitudes.

FINDINGS

Nepalese nursing students have a large knowledge gap and negative attitudes, regardless of level of education. Their HIV/AIDS knowledge differed statistically significantly by group but there were no statistically significant group differences in general attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Although knowledge of universal precaution improved with year of education, overall universal precautions knowledge was poor among all students, regardless of level of education.

CONCLUSION

Nursing curricula must include adequate and culturally relevant content on HIV/AIDS, attitudes towards people living with AIDS, and universal precautions.

Exploring knowledge and skills on HIV in student nurses and midwives

A cross-sectional survey design using a self-administered questionnaire was sent to a sample of 62 final-year student nurses and midwives to describe their knowledge of, skills related to, and attitudes towards, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Out of the 47 respondents who return the questionnaire, only 53% stated that they had received class instruction on the topic and 63.8% claimed to have increased their knowledge mainly from reading professional journals. Although only 32% said that they had cared for a patient or knew of a family member or another person with the disease, 91% indicated that they were willing to care for such patients. Overall, the respondents demonstrated positive attitudes towards this group of patients and a good level of knowledge about the subject, although some gaps were evident. However, a large majority stated that their skills to cater for the physical and psychological needs of this group of patients were deficient and would like further training.