Knowledge and attitudes of nursing students toward patients living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV):: A Turkish perspective

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/ AIDS of nursing students in Turkey. HIV/ AIDS has become one of the most serious health problems in the world. It is important to understand nursing students' knowledge and attitudes towards people living with HIV ( PLHIV) because the educational preparation of nurses has been known to affect the attitudes of the nurse and the effectiveness of the care provided to PLHIV. The study was conducted with 227 nursing students from the School of Health in Antalya, Turkey during the calendar year 2005/ 2006. Qualitative and quantitative methods were both used to collect data for the study. Analysis of variance, t - test, Mann- Whitney U- test, Kruskal- Wallis and inductive methods were used in data analysis. The majority of nursing students in this study had a moderate level of HIV/ AIDS knowledge. Students correctly answered 64.4% of HIV/ AIDS- related questions in the questionnaire ( Mean 28.99; SD 7.03 out of 45 points). Scores increased parallel with student grade ( F = 26.925; p = 0.000) and age ( X 2 ( K - W) = 35.117; p = 0.000). Fear of being infected and feelings of pity and empathy were the feelings most commonly indicated by the students. Students who had previous experience in caring for an AIDS patient and had known someone with HIV/ AIDS were willing to care for PLHIV. Results underline the need to strengthen education on all aspects of HIV/ AIDS. To improve nursing students willingness to care for PLHIV, particular emphasis should be placed on the training of nursing students as skilled nursing staff with humane attitudes towards PLHIV.