Nursing students’ attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients in Finland, Estonia and Lithuania

Abstract

This paper presents baseline data on attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients and homophobic levels among nursing students in three Baltic Sea countries: Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. The aim is to describe and compare nursing students' attitudes in these three countries and to explore how attitudes towards HIV/AIDS correlate with background variables. The total sample comprised 471 nursing students. The respondents demonstrated average attitude scores towards patients with HIV/AIDS and rather positive attitudes towards homosexually oriented patients. Significant country differences were found, with Finnish nursing students showing the most positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients and homosexually oriented patients. Previous experience of HIV/AIDS patients was the single factor with the greatest positive impact on nursing students' attitudes. Nursing students' willingness to provide care for an HIV/AIDS patient was associated with a positive attitude towards these patients. Length of employment experience correlated negatively with general attitude, and older nursing students with more work experience showed a more negative attitude towards homosexual patients. Proper education to achieve a sound knowledge base and good nursing skills promotes a more positive attitude to HIV/AIDS. It is important that nursing students are sensitive and show respect for the patient's human dignity. There is need for greater harmonization of education in the three countries.

Social Workers' Attitudes towards People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kentucky

“…In general, healthcare workers with previous experience of HIV/AIDS tend to have a more positive attitude towards PLHA than those with no previous experience (Oyeyemi et al, 2006;Suominen, et al, 2009). In addition, healthcare workers with high knowledge of HIV/AIDS or those that have had some formal training in the area of HIV/AIDS tend to have a more positive attitude towards PLHA than those with low knowledge or no formal training (Andrewin & Li-Yin, 2008;Bektaş & Kulakaç, 2007;Delobelle et al, 2009;Hassan & Wahsheh, 2011;Reis et al, 2005;Röndahl et al, 2003;Shaikh et al, 2007;Suominen, et al, 2009).…”

“…Of these, close to 5,500 individuals are still presumed to be living (Kentucky cabinet for Health and Family Services (KCHFS), 2012). Globally, studies that have examined the attitudes of healthcare workers towards PLHA have shown a great variation in their findings (Andrewin & Li-Yin, 2008;Bektaş & Kulakaç, 2007;Crossley, 2004;Delobelle et al, 2009;Hassan & Wahsheh, 2011;Oyeyemi, Oyeyemi, & Bello, 2006;Reis et al, 2005;Röndahl, Innala, & Carlsson, 2003;Shaikh, Khan, Ross, & Grimes, 2007;Suominen et al, 2009;Suominen et al, 2010). In general, healthcare workers with previous experience of HIV/AIDS tend to have a more positive attitude towards PLHA than those with no previous experience (Oyeyemi et al, 2006;Suominen, et al, 2009).…”

“…Globally, studies that have examined the attitudes of healthcare workers towards PLHA have shown a great variation in their findings (Andrewin & Li-Yin, 2008;Bektaş & Kulakaç, 2007;Crossley, 2004;Delobelle et al, 2009;Hassan & Wahsheh, 2011;Oyeyemi, Oyeyemi, & Bello, 2006;Reis et al, 2005;Röndahl, Innala, & Carlsson, 2003;Shaikh, Khan, Ross, & Grimes, 2007;Suominen et al, 2009;Suominen et al, 2010). In general, healthcare workers with previous experience of HIV/AIDS tend to have a more positive attitude towards PLHA than those with no previous experience (Oyeyemi et al, 2006;Suominen, et al, 2009). In addition, healthcare workers with high knowledge of HIV/AIDS or those that have had some formal training in the area of HIV/AIDS tend to have a more positive attitude towards PLHA than those with low knowledge or no formal training (Andrewin & Li-Yin, 2008;Bektaş & Kulakaç, 2007;Delobelle et al, 2009;Hassan & Wahsheh, 2011;Reis et al, 2005;Röndahl et al, 2003;Shaikh et al, 2007;Suominen, et al, 2009).…”

Nursing Students’ Willingness to Care for Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Patients in the Future

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Several studies, however, also emphasized that avoidance of caring for these patients, 6,10 the presence of high levels of refraining attitudes, 8,14 and persistence in stigmatization of high-risk groups 9 were not uncommon among students. Suominen et al 15 and Välimäki et al 13 compared 3 Baltic countries and noted that students' willingness to care for these patients varied between countries and was also associated with specific nursing interventions.…”

“…Some studies found that nursing students' higher willingness to care for HIV-infected patients was associated with a more positive attitude toward these patients. 10,12,15 A review by Pickles et al 16 provided evidence that nurses and nursing students were often reluctant to care for HIV-infected patients because of fear of contagion. Higher willingness to care was also found to be associated with higher knowledge of HIV, 8,10,17 previous experience in caring for HIV-infected patients, 6,15,18 and knowing someone with HIV.…”