Occupational and personal risk estimates for HIV contagion among incoming graduate nursing students

In an effort to measure both fear of HIV/AIDS contagion and possible co-factors, two cohorts (n = 331) of incoming graduate level nursing students were surveyed during two consecutive academic years. All completed a Risk Perception Scale and an AIDS Attitude Scale; additionally, 118 completed an AIDS Knowledge Scale. Findings indicate this population had tremendous fears of the possibility of HIV infection. Estimates of potential contagion far outweighed scientific estimates of risk, and in some cases corresponded to behaviors that are scientifically purported to have no risk. Of interest in this same regard were perceptions of increased risk in the case of visible testimony to disease (that is, in the case of holding a patient with Kaposi's sarcoma lesions versus one without) and in the case of a patient with AIDS (versus an HIV seropositive, asymptomatic patient). Results showed that exaggerated perceptions of risk were correlated with a lack of knowledge and with negative HIV-related attitudes. The study indicates the need for AIDS education that addresses biomedical findings and fact while concurrently addressing perceptions that may preclude the assimilation and application of such knowledge.