Knowledge, values, attitudes and behavioural intent of Nova Scotia nurses toward AIDS and patients with AIDS

Abstract

To assess the knowledge, values, attitudes and behavioural intent of Nova Scotia nurses toward AIDS and patients with AIDS, questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 400 general duty nurses. Analysis of the 179 returned questionnaires (45%) showed that although 88% of the nurses indicated that they intended to nurse patients with AIDS, the quality of the nursing care might be inadequate because (1) there was lack of knowledge about AIDS, especially outside urban Halifax; (2) half the nurses were undecided and 10% were very negative toward homosexuals and patients with AIDS; (3) although nurses perceived staff in hospital as reflecting positive attitudes toward care of patients with AIDS, those closest to the nurse (spouse, family and friends) were perceived as negative to her caring for patients with AIDS; and (4) nurses found media sources of information about AIDS more helpful than professional sources.