AIDS‐Related Knowledge, Fear, and Behavioral Change Among Nurses in Taiwan

Abstract

Current literature documents a phenomenon of fear that affects the willingness of health care professionals to care for persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We attempted to identify differences between nurses who exhibit fearful attitudes toward AIDS and those who do not, based on knowledge and behavior. Taiwan, site of the study, is only beginning to identify the first of its citizens with AIDS. The subjects were a population of caregivers from a culture with little exposure, therefore, either through education or experience, to the disease and the issues it engenders. A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was conducted in 1990 of 1759 nurses in 12 institutions throughout Taiwan. Data on AIDS-related knowledge, fear, and behavior, as well as selected demographic data, were gathered. Analysis revealed significantly less fear of AIDS among nurses who reported three behavioral changes related to AIDS than among those who reported fewer changed behaviors (F = 4.43, df = 3; P < 0.004); those with higher levels of education (F = 3.54, df = 3; P < 0.014); and those who were single rather than married (t = 2.81; P < 0.005).

The attitudes, concerns, gloving practices and knowledge of nurses in a Taiwanese hospital regarding AIDS and HIV

“…Firstly, the study was from only one hospital and, therefore, the results might not reflect nurses’ attitudes and concerns in other hospitals in Taiwan. However, our results are comparable to results from other Taiwanese studies where more than one hospital was sampled 3,4 , 15 . Secondly, bias of non‐responders is always a major concern in cross‐sectional studies.…”

“…Nearly 20% also thought that freezing destroys HIV. Other studies from Taiwan have also shown a general lack of AIDS/HIV knowledge 4,15 . Yeh et al.…”

“…In one recent study, it was found that Taiwanese nurses’ attitudes about giving care to HIV‐positive patients generally was negative and that they lacked knowledge regarding HIV infection in the workplace 3 . In another study, Taiwanese nurses demonstrated less fear of AIDS if they had a higher level of education 4 . Therefore, it seems plausible that a lack of AIDS/HIV knowledge impacts on Taiwanese nurses’ attitudes, concerns and work practices in relation to AIDS/HIV.…”

Educational intervention with international nurses and changes in knowledge, attitudes and willingness to provide care to patients with HIV/AIDS

“…This is evident in a study of nursing and medical students in Manila by Tan (1992), where 96% of the respondents blamed at least one ‘high‐risk’ group, especially women sex workers, for the spread of HIV in the Philippines. A study of nurses in Taiwan reports that 87% of respondents, if hospitalized, would not share a room with a person with HIV/AIDS ( Wang et al . 1993 ).…”

Nurses’ knowledge of HIV/AIDS

“…3,4 As instigator and corresponding author of the study of Juan et al, I wish to correct the conclusions of Okpala et al in case their statements are cited incorrectly in the future.…”