Human immunodeficiency virus knowledge and attitudes among hospital-based healthcare professionals in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Since the discovery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on the Chinese mainland in 1985, the virus has spread to all provinces and autonomous regions. Although much research emphasis has been placed on studying behaviors and transmission knowledge among high-risk populations, especially drug abusers and commercial sex workers, little has been done to measure understanding within other risk groups. The objective of this study was to investigate HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge and attitudes among hospital-based healthcare professionals in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. METHODS: Data were gathered through a questionnaire completed by a convenience sample of individuals from three diverse hospitals. RESULTS: Insufficient knowledge of the disease and its transmission resulted in more than 90% of the respondents expressing apprehension about contracting the virus and nearly 24% expressing reservations about caring for infected patients. CONCLUSION: Uncorrected, such attitudes and knowledge deficiencies have the potential to impact negatively on the quality of care, patient-practitioner safety, and proper postexposure prophylaxis.