Systematized HIV/AIDS education for student nurses at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria: impact on knowledge, attitudes and compliance with universal precautions

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study which examines changes in a group of Bachelor of Science (BSc) nursing students' perceptions, knowledge of and attitudes towards human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), accruing from attempts at a systematized education for the cohort. Based upon a 3-month study of 141 registered nurses enrolled in a BSc nursing programme at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, it investigates alterations in knowledge and attitudes resulting from intense instruction on HIV/AIDS, AIDS patient care, and compliance with universal precautions. With regard to knowledge enhancement and attitudinal transformation, the research reveals that a number of positive changes occurred over the period of the study. Not only were the nurses better informed about AIDS than previously, but their attitudes towards the disease and patient care had become considerably more liberal, as well as their disposition to comply with universal precautions. The conclusion emphasizes that it is very important for education about HIV/AIDS to be incorporated within current undergraduate and in-service training programmes for Nigerian nurses.

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

“…The result of this study corroborates the results of previous studies (e.g., Mohsen, 1998;Uwakwe, 2000). Thus, we need to combine several education methods to achieve a positive effect on nurses' knowledge and attitudes.…”

Knowledge and Perception of Health Care Workers Towards Clean Care Practices in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…The study concluded that it is very important for education to be incorporated within undergraduate and in-service training programs for nurses about Universal Precautions. (9) A study conducted by JB Suchitra and N Lakshmi Devi (8) showed the similar findings. Our study also showed statistically significant association between formal education received on hand hygiene and knowledge on hand hygiene.…”

Knowledge and Attitudes of Ugandan Midwives Regarding HIV

“…Measures to ensure universal precautions in health care settings may not be readily available to Ugandan health care providers, which may explain a greater sense of fear of providing direct care (Mungherera et al, 1997). Fear of contagion from patient care activities was also a common result within the literature (Mbanya et al, 2001;Mungherera et al, 1997;Uwakwe, 2000). Not only has fear been described in relation to knowledge and attitude scores, researchers have reported that it has an impact on patient care.…”