Educational intervention with international nurses and changes in knowledge, attitudes and willingness to provide care to patients with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study which examines the relationship between the use of an educational intervention with nurses from several Asian countries and changes in knowledge, attitudes and willingness to care for patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). A pre-test and post-test questionnaire was used to collect the data. The results indicate, that whilst there was an improvement in knowledge following the educational intervention, there is a need for further improvement in the knowledge levels of the nurses. The method of contracting the virus is less influential in shaping students' attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. Fear of contagion is evident; this increases when more invasive clinical procedures are being carried out. What is also evident is that multiple levels of infection control protocols are used with patients. Fear of contagion is also apparent in the participants' willingness to work with colleagues and patients with HIV/AIDS. While the participants stated that they were more willing to work with colleagues and patients with HIV/AIDS following the educational intervention, they said that they would continue to take additional precautions for fear of contracting HIV in the workplace. The conclusion emphasizes that it is important for education about HIV/AIDS to be incorporated within current undergraduate and in-service programmes.

Improving Knowledge and Attitudes of Health Care Providers Following Training on HIV/AIDS Related Issues: A Study in an Urban Turkish Area

“…Many studies suggested that, shortages of materials and staff and heavy workload were important factors influencing the implementation of universal infection control. 3,5,18,34 Stone et al reported that poor working conditions and high work load were important risk factors for nurses being injured with medical equipment such as needles by 50-200%. 35 Some HCPs in our study were misinformed about HIV/ AIDS before they took part in the training program.…”

“…Various studies reported that infection fear,misinformation or lack of information of healthcare providers had negative consequences such as humiliating the patient and even refusing to give treatment. 34,37 In addition, HCPs were reoprted to be influenced by cultural norms. 34,37 The study results demonstrated that some of the HCPs believed that patients should know their HIV status and this information should be shared with other HCPs and patients.…”

“…34,37 In addition, HCPs were reoprted to be influenced by cultural norms. 34,37 The study results demonstrated that some of the HCPs believed that patients should know their HIV status and this information should be shared with other HCPs and patients. The results of our study were consistent with those of previous studies carried out in Turkey.…”

The Impact of an Education Intervention to Change Nurses’ HIV-Related Knowledge and Attitudes in Lithuania: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Previous studies have reported an association between a high level of knowledge and positive attitudes among nurses (McCann & Sharkey, 1998;Uwakwe, 2000). Nurses need to be updated on HIV knowledge that could boost morale in HIV care because attitude seems to be positively correlated with knowledge Williams et al, 2006).…”

Glove use and the HIV positive massage therapy client

“…That study also notes that the fear of HIV infection decreased as knowledge levels rose. McCann and Sharkey (1998) note in a similar study that following an educational intervention with nurses regarding HIV transmission routes, participants were more willing to work with a colleague who was HIV positive, and to treat patients who are HIV positive. These same participants, however, would, 'take additional precautions for fear of contracting HIV in the workplace ' (p. 267).…”