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Nurses' knowledge about and attitudes toward patients with AIDS.
Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Registered nurses show moderate knowledge of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), excelling in transmission and treatment understanding but lacking in epidemiology and pathophysiology. Their attitudes towards patients with AIDS are generally positive, suggesting a need for targeted educational programs.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Increasing incidence of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) necessitates preparedness among healthcare professionals.
- Nurses in acute care settings require specific knowledge and positive attitudes to provide optimal care for patients with AIDS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge and attitudes of registered nurses regarding Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and patients diagnosed with AIDS.
- To identify areas for improvement in nursing education and practice related to AIDS care.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to registered nurses to evaluate their understanding of AIDS.
- The survey included questions assessing knowledge of AIDS epidemiology, pathophysiology, transmission, and treatment, as well as attitudes towards patients with AIDS.
Main Results:
- Respondents demonstrated moderate overall knowledge of AIDS, with high scores in transmission and treatment but lower scores in epidemiology and pathophysiology.
- Attitudes towards patients with AIDS were generally positive, with scores above three on a five-point scale, indicating a lack of negative biases.
Conclusions:
- Registered nurses possess a foundational understanding of AIDS, particularly concerning transmission and treatment.
- While attitudes are largely positive, specific knowledge gaps in AIDS epidemiology and pathophysiology require attention through targeted educational interventions for nurses.