Nurses' knowledge and attitudes to HIV/AIDS—An international comparison between Finland, Estonia and Lithuania

Abstract

This paper presents baseline data on nurses' knowledge of and attitudes to HIV/AIDS in three countries: Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is steadily increasing in Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. At the same time, labour mobility and also nursing mobility between these countries increases. Previous international studies have shown that lack of knowledge and negative attitudes continue to exist. A total of 681 registered nurses from one Finnish (n = 322), one Estonian (n = 191) and one Lithuanian (n = 168) hospital were surveyed in spring 2006. The questionnaire was originally developed by Held in 1993 and modified for this study. The questionnaire has three scales: demographic and other background variable, nurses' knowledge related to HIV/AIDS, and nurses' attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS and towards the disease itself. Across the whole sample respondents showed average levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. Years of work experience correlated negatively with the knowledge and attitude levels. A significant correlation was found between the level of knowledge and attitudes. Significant differences were found between countries, Finnish nurses showing the highest knowledge levels and most positive attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS. Factors positively influencing levels of knowledge and attitudes were education, previous experience of providing care to HIV/AIDS patient or knowing someone with the infection, and willingness to provide care to HIV/AIDS patients. Supplementary education is needed to strengthen nurses' knowledge. It is important to recognize that there might be differences in knowledge and attitudes between neighbour countries. This needs to be taken into account when planning education for degrees and for further nursing education.

Awareness of HIV Transmission Risks and Determinants of Sexual Behaviour: Descriptive and Multivariate Analyses among German Nursing Students

“…A possible explanation might be that with increasing sexual experience, oral contraception will be the preferred contraception method (17,19). As noted by other authors, students who had their first sexual experience at an older age were more cautious, as reflected by their safer practices (12,14). The results showed that these students used condoms more often than younger ones.…”

“…Research studies on nursing students mostly detected attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and how to care for people with the disease (4,5,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). However, the studies inadequately assessed the awareness of potential HIV transmission risks.…”

Slaugos Studijų Studentų Pasiryžimas Slaugyti Užsikrėtusius Žmogaus Imunodeficito Virusu Ir/Ar Sergančius Įgytu Imunodeficito Sindromu

“…ŽIV infekcijos mastai nemažėja ir Baltijos jūros regione: 2010 metais Suomijoje buvo apie 2200, Estijoje daugiau nei 5000 ir Lietuvoje 3300 žmonių, gyvenančių su ŽIV ir/ar AIDS. Estija pirmauja tarp Baltijos regiono šalių naujų atvejų skaičiumi tarp suaugusiųjų [13]. ŽIV epidemija Lietuvoje pasiekė reikšmingą lygį ir yra koncentruota tarp švirkščiamųjų narkotikų vartotojų.…”

Staff experiences of caring for patients with extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing bacteria: A qualitative study

“…Increasing the level of staff knowledge has been shown to reduce fear, and to increase the readiness of staff to care for patients with infectious diseases. 27 To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have examined the experience of caring for ESBL patients; thus, the present study was deemed important.…”

“…They may fear that if they become infected, they could lose their job and thus their income. 11,[21][22][23][24][25][26] In a study of HIV, Suominen et al 27 reported that fear could result in staff choosing to avoid caring for these patients. Increasing the level of staff knowledge has been shown to reduce fear, and to increase the readiness of staff to care for patients with infectious diseases.…”