Nursing students attitudes toward AIDS: implications for education.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The increasing prevalence of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) necessitates that nursing students are prepared to care for affected patients.
• Baccalaureate nursing students' attitudes towards caring for patients with AIDS are crucial for effective healthcare delivery and education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the attitudes of senior baccalaureate nursing students regarding the care of patients with AIDS.
• To identify key themes influencing student attitudes, including direct care, rights, preparation, and general beliefs about AIDS.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 87 senior baccalaureate nursing students completed a researcher-developed 37-item Likert scale instrument.
• The instrument assessed attitudes across five themes: direct care, students' rights, educational preparation, patients' rights, and general beliefs about AIDS.

Main Results:

• Overall student responses were generally positive, but 70% reported discomfort caring for patients with AIDS.
• A significant number of students believed they should have the right to refuse care, though most would not refuse an assignment.
• Students with prior experience caring for AIDS patients demonstrated significantly more positive responses across all assessed areas.

Conclusions:

• Findings indicate a need for enhanced teaching strategies and curricular adjustments in nursing programs to better prepare students for caring for patients with AIDS.
• The study's data can inform educational policy and organizational strategies to address student preparedness and attitudes towards this patient population.