Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1 MSc Student, Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran
2 PhD, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia
3 MD, Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran
4 Shiraz Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran
Abstract
Background: Nurses are one of the most significant group exposed to the risk of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Therefore, to determine the disease level in patients and train them in the field are among the most essential subjects of nursing education. The study investigated the nursing students’ awareness, attitudes and tendency toward providing services to patients with HIV/AIDS.
Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in 2014, covered 110 second- and third-year nursing students from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. The research tools were demographics and AIDS knowledge questionnaires, an attitude towards AIDS scale and a discrimination against patients questionnaire. The information was analyzed by SPSS using descriptive statistics, t-test and the Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results: Males comprised 38.2% of the subjects, and females 61.8%. About 80% of the participants were single and 20% married. Almost two-thirds (60.9%) had a professional background. Regarding the awareness of AIDS and its transmission methods, 52.7% of the students were “a little” aware. Furthermore, 84.5% of students were at the moderate level of discrimination on giving services and taking care of patients with HIV; 52.2% of the subjects were also at a moderate level. A significant direct relationship was observed between the discrimination and attitude scores, P = 0.04 and r = 0.19.
Conclusions: The students’ levels of awareness of HIV and its transition methods were low, and this should be promoted thorough training. Discriminatory actions do occur, and it is necessary and possible to decrease their incidence by promoting students’ awareness of patients’ rights and ethical principles.
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