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

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has become one of the most serious infectious diseases challenges to public health, it is considered as the most devastating disease of the recent decade due to its high morbidity, mortality and economic impacts. The negative attitudes among people and healthcare providers prevent many people from seeking HIV testing, returning for their results, or securing treatment, possibly turning what could be a manageable chronic illness into a death sentence and perpetuating the spread of HIV. The quality of care received by HIV-infected individuals and AIDS patients can be affected by the reaction of healthcare providers. In this regard, nurses have a key position in the delivery of care. Knowledge, attitudes and delivery of care have important role in HIV/AIDS prevention care and treatment among health providers specially nurses. Therefore, it is important to assess knowledge, practice and attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS among nurses. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses working with HIV/AIDS patients. Summary 154 Research question: This study is based on answering the following question:  What are the knowledge, attitudes and practice of nurses working with HIV/AIDS patients? Research settings: The study was conducted at El-Homiaat Hospital in El- Abbassia. Subjects of the study: It was convenient sample. The subjects of the present study included 65 nurses, which represented about 85% of total nurses number. Tools of data collection: Data were collected using the following tools: 1- Interviewing Questionnaire: This tool was designed by the investigator in a simple Arabic language based on review of related literature. It includes: socio-demographic data of nurses such as age, sex, education, Summary 155 marital status, monthly income and nurses’ years of experience, source of information about HIV.