Mental health and substance abuse staff: HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes

Mental health and substance abuse treatment staff completed a set of measures assessing their attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs concerning AIDS. Results indicated that while most staff were aware of basic information about the disease, approximately one-third were not aware of the neuropsychological and psycho-behavioural concomitants of the disorder. Those surveyed were aware of the main transmission routes, but overgeneralized their concern to casual contact. Most staff indicated willingness to work with HIV-infected individuals, although 29% stated they would try to avoid working with them. Interestingly, mental health staff expressed greater hesitancy than substance abuse staff. These and other results are interpreted to suggest that some desensitization of concern may have already occurred among those who have worked with HIV-positive clients. Individuals who had worked with an HIV-positive client had greater knowledge, less discomfort, and were less likely to want to avoid those who are HIV-positive. Questions attempting to identify sources of discomfort in working with AIDS or HIV-positive clients suggested that fear of contagion may be the primary concern, followed by discomfort of working with the terminally ill, and then discomfort with IV drug users and homosexuals. The implications of these results for continuing education activities and staff readiness are discussed.