Health workers and the human immunodeficiency virus: knowledge, ignorance and behaviour

The attitude of health personnel towards the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has a great influence on public opinion. Thus appropriate knowledge about HIV and its routes of transmission, plus safe and professional behaviour are crucial. A survey of 359 Norwegian health workers (75% response) revealed that factual knowledge was good. Fear of occupational transmission was substantial, but was not reflected in behaviour: 25-50% of the personnel reported not using gloves when exposed to blood. No relationship was found between knowledge and behaviour. A majority (79%) of the sample held the view that every hospital patient should be routinely tested on admission. Seventy-four per cent advocated preoperative screening, with special precautions if the results are positive. Knowledge did not seem to influence these attitudes. It is concluded that the behaviour of health personnel in relation to occupational risks is unrelated to factual knowledge, and further studies are needed to uncover behavioral determinants.