Publication:

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice among B.Sc. Nursing students towards care of HIV/AIDS patients at Geetanjali College of Nursing, Udaipur: a cross sectional study

Background HIV and AIDS is a matter of concern because the number of cases has increased dramatically over the last ten years. Health care workers are key players in the prevention and management of HIV-infection. The perceptions regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS and practices among the Health Care Workers (HCW) exists many misconceptions with regard to HIV/AIDS. Many health workers are not willing to provide the necessary care and services to the HIV/AIDS infected patients. Health Care Workers need to have appropriate knowledge and attitudes about HIV and AIDS.

Methods A cross sectional study was conducted at Geetanjali College of Nursing, Udaipur from June 2014 to August 2014 among randomly selected 100 B.Sc. Nursing Students on a pretested, precoded and prestructured self administered questionnaire included sections on knowledge, attitude, and practice toward HIV/AIDS after having oral/ written consent.

Results In this study, there were 58 (58.0%) males and 42 (42.0%) females. 97 (97.0%) assumed multiple sex partners is the reason for HIV transmission. 68 (68.0%) had no objection in doing the work with HIV positive staff and 51 (51.0%) were aware about the transplacental route of transmission of HIV. As well as 67 (67.0%) were in favour of early sex education.

Conclusions With the above findings it has to be state that there are gaps in the knowledge of Nursing Students about HIV infection, additional HIV/AIDS training for health staff as well as sensitization to the various aspects of disease through an active health education programme is crucial to control the HIV epidemic. There is also a need of reconstruction in nursing curriculum programmes to ensure that the nursing students have to gain the necessary accurate knowledge and appropriate attitudes about HIV and AIDS.