HIV knowledge and attitude among nurses towards caring for hiv-positive individuals in sarawak

Ruziana, Miss (2010) HIV knowledge and attitude among nurses towards caring for hiv-positive individuals in sarawak. Masters thesis, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science.

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Abstract

Supportive environment is important to ensure every HIV-positive person receives unbiased healthcare services. A supportive environment refers not only to physical environment but also to workplace culture, and the knowledge, and attitude of healthcare personnel toward HIV positive individuals. Inadequate HIV knowledge and negative attitudes of nurses towards the HIV -positive individuals has been documented to jeopardize the service. This study aims to assess the HIV knowledge and attitude of nurses towards HIV -positive individuals and factors associated with it. A crosssectional study was conducted among nurses working in 21 Maternal and Child Health Clinics in Kuching District (N = 173). The response rate was 93.1 % (N = 161). Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire. HIV knowledge was assessed objectively using 'yes' and 'no' answers while attitude towards HIV~positive individuals was assessed using Likert's scale ranging between 1 to 6 response value. The results show that the proportion of nurses who have good HIV knowledge was 57.1 %, and 77% of nurses hadpositive attitudes towards HIV -positive individuals. Despite having good HIV knowledge, misconceptions regarding HIV transmission did occur. Periodic and specific continuous education is reconunended together with guided discussion on ethical scenarios and attitude exploration in order to achieve and maintain adequate know ledge and a positive attitude.

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