Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Nurses Working with HIV/AIDS Patients

Research Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has become one of the most serious challenges to public health due to its high morbidity, mortality and economic impacts. Knowledge and positive attitudes are important aspects of providing nursing care for people living with HIV/AIDS. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses working with HIV/AIDS patients. This study was exploratory descriptive, performed on 65 nurses working with HIV/AIDS patients at El-Homiaat Hospital. Data were collected using 1) Socio-demographic Questionnaire, 2) HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18) 3) AIDS Attitude Scale (AAS) and 4) Nurses’ Practice Checklist (NPC). The result of this study showed that nurses working with HIV/AIDS patients possess satisfying level of knowledge about transmission and non-transmission routes meanwhile, they have unsatisfying knowledge about preventive methods especially safe sexual practice. However, Studied nurses showed high level of sympathetic attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS, avoidant attitudes were observed. Studied nurses showed lack of proper use of communication skills with adherence to safety measures with HIV/AIDS patients. There were satisfying knowledge, negative attitudes and unsatisfying practice level among studied nurses. The study recommended that in-service education should focus on preventive methods and proper use of communication skills. Also, provide psychological counseling for HIV/AIDS patients and nurses who work with them.

Research Keywords

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Nurses, HIV, AIDS