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Nurses' willingness to perform AIDS patient care.
Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Experienced nurses in high-prevalence hospitals showed less willingness to care for patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Higher education nurses in lower-prevalence settings were more willing to provide this essential patient care.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic necessitates understanding healthcare professionals' attitudes.
- Nursing care for AIDS patients presents unique challenges and requires specific knowledge and emotional resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the willingness of nurses to provide care for AIDS patients.
- To identify factors influencing nurses' willingness to care for AIDS patients, including hospital AIDS prevalence and nursing education level.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed nurses across hospitals with varying Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patient prevalence.
- Assessed nurses' education levels (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing) and self-perceived knowledge of infectious diseases.
Main Results:
- Nurses with extensive experience in AIDS care and those in high-prevalence hospitals reported lower willingness to provide care.
- Nurses holding Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees in low-to-moderate prevalence settings demonstrated the highest willingness to provide care.
Conclusions:
- Nursing education level and hospital Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patient prevalence significantly impact nurses' willingness to provide care.
- Sustained exposure to AIDS patient care may paradoxically lead to negative attitudes, warranting further investigation into universal precautions adherence and support systems.