Using factor analysis to explore nurses' fear of AIDS in the United States of America

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to create a reliable research instrument to test the fear of AIDS (FOA) and to explore the dimension of FOA among nurses. We hypothesized that certain factors, such as physical closeness to AIDS patients or HIV-positive blood and nontolerance of homosexuals, increase fear of AIDS among nurses. A sample of 365 nurses in a mid-Atlantic state of the United States was surveyed with an 82-item Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice (KAP) questionnaire to examine the fear of AIDS among nurses in the United States. Using correlation, item and factorial analysis, a 23-item FOA Scale II (alpha = 0.826) was created and seven FOA factors were identified. Factor analysis was used to help understand the dimensions of FOA as measured by FOA Scale II. Principal components analysis was used to analyse the correlation matrix because some items were on a five-point scale and some were on a three-point scale. The varimax rotation was used, because if one were to define dimensions then these dimensions should be as independent of each other as possible. The coefficient alpha of 0.826 obtained from using FOA Scale II indicated that FOA could be considered to be a general factor; but the general factor could be exhibited through several avenues. It was determined that FOA could be represented by four or by seven dimensions, and if one uses the eigenvalue of 1 for a cut-off point then one would argue that there were seven factors. If one used the screen test, then one could assume that there were four factors of interest. Our decision for the analysis of this paper was to attempt the interpretation of the seven factors. We used both the factor loadings-the correlation of the item score with the linear combination-and the factor score coefficients (the weights of the items to form the linear combinations) to interpret the factor. The factor analysis thus seems to give insight into the dimensions of FOA as measured by FOA Scale II. Fear of AIDS seems to be exhibited in the following seven ways: (a) support for policies which would protect me from AIDS, (b) fear of contact with blood and bodily fluids of AIDS patient, (c) turning against those who have AIDS, (d) only care for those who deserve to be helped, (e)concern that I would have no help if I had AIDS, (f) concern about the financial burden of AIDS, and (g) loss of self-worth for one who has AIDS.

Factors Predicting Nurses' Consideration of Leaving their Job During the Sars Outbreak

“…The fear of AIDS has been documented in nurses in the USA. 20 Using factor analysis, the authors of the report summarized US nurses' fear of AIDS as: (1) support for policies that would protect HCWs from AIDS;…”

Comparison of Stigmatization Perceptions in Cases With Chronic Hepatitis B, Chronic Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

“…İlk çalışmada, hemşirelerin AIDS korkusunun altında yatan nedenlerin yedi grupta toplandığı belirlenmiştir. Bunlar: [1] AIDS'ten kendini koruması için gerekli AIDS politikası desteğinin olmaması (%28.2), [2] AIDS olgularının kan ve vücut sıvılarıyla temas korkusu (%26.2), [3] AIDS olgularına karşı olma (%10.9), [4] bu hastalara yardımcı olmak için hizmet sunmak yerine yalnızca bakım uygulamayı tercih etme (%9.7), [5] kendisi AIDS olursa destek olacak kimsenin olmayacağı endişesi (%9.2), [6] AIDS'in finansal bir yük olduğu anlayışı (%8) ve [7] bir AIDS olgusu için kendi değerini neden riske edeceği (%7.9) şeklin-de korku ve endişelerdir (26). Amerika Birleşik Devletleri'nde FOA II ölçeği uygulanarak gerçekleştirilen ikinci araştırmada, AIDS ile ilgili politik düşüncelerin, kan yoluyla veya fiziksel yakınlık gerektiren bakım sırasında virusla infekte olma olasılığının, bir homoseksüele yaklaşma ve bakım etiği düşün-cesinin korku ve endişe tutumunu yükselttiği belirlenmiştir (27).…”

AIDS care in Nigeria: Are nurses comfortable performing procedures?

“…In spite of the previous reports of low risk of percutaneous exposure to HIV, 9,16 and seroconversion, 17 health‐care workers including physicians and nurses remained fearful of contracting AIDS on the job 18–19 . Nurses would hesitate to nurse, and would be reluctant to participate in birth delivery involving PWA 4 .…”

“…11 In spite of the previous reports of low risk of percutaneous exposure to HIV, 9,16 and seroconversion, 17 healthcare workers including physicians and nurses remained fearful of contracting AIDS on the job. [18][19] Nurses would hesitate to nurse, and would be reluctant to participate in birth delivery involving PWA. 4 Many physicians were not comfortable performing or assisting in surgery, 14 and their feeling of comfort in performing this procedure was influenced by their specialty of training or practice.…”