[HIV infection at the work-place: beliefs and attitudes compliance to ethical standards]

The aims of this study undertaken from May 2000 to August 2000, were to appreciate workers feelings about ethical questions arisen in workplaces. Three industries were randomly chosen among a total of seven which benefited from HIV preventive policy. Two hundred workers randomly chosen by a multistage sampling method, were interviewed by an occupational physician on their beliefs and attitudes about HIV infection. Mean age was 41 years, 82.5% were male and 75.5% did benefit from high school education. 76% of workers had a good level of knowledge about transmission and prevention methods about HIV. 76.5% were willing to take care of people infected. 73% believed that infected persons must continue their job in the workplace. For 63.5% infected patients should receive more care than the other sick persons no matter what disease is concerned. These positive attitudes are highly correlated with level of knowledge (p < 0.001). In contrary 73.5% did state that pathient status should be revealed. These findings are globally compliant with ethical issues except for confidentiality questions. They invite to enforce preventive measures in workplaces.