Caring for persons with AIDS: Knowledge and attitudes of 1,047 health care workers attending AIDS action committee educational programs

Abstract

Thirty-six educational programs on AIDS for 1047 massachusetts health care providers were evaluated by pre-and post-program questionnaires. Providers' knowledge about modes of transmission and means of preventing transmission were ascertained, as were professional and personal attitudes about persons with AIDS. Providers included 149 who established regulations, 345 supervisors, 468 inpatient care and 85 outpatient care providers. Results suggest 1. a need for provider education; and 2. significant differences among the four groups in knowledge and attitudes, both before and after programs, with regulators having the most accurate knowledge and inpatient care providers the least. Suggestions are made for development of effective education to prevent AIDS among caregivers and to prevent the emotional injuries associated with being an AIDS patient.