[Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): knowledge and fear of contagion in nursing students during their hospital training]

Abstract

The authors report the transversal investigation results of 115 male and nurse students of Cotonou on their AIDS knowledge, AIDS prevention, and their attitudes toward HIV infected patients. 98% have a good knowledge of AIDS. 55% utilize condom. 77% give to their fear of contagion during their in Service training for the care of HIV infected patients. The authors conclude for AIDS education reinforcement in school of nursing.

PIP: In July 1991 in Benin, a survey was conducted among 115 female and male nursing students aged 20-38 during their in-service training at the university hospital in Cotonou to determine their knowledge of HIV infection and prevention, their attitude toward HIV/AIDS, and their behavior. 98% knew actual routes of HIV transmission. 67.8% knew that HIV is sensitive to heat outside of the body and that it is not sensitive to fever in HIV positive individuals. 23.4% thought that HIV positive persons should be quarantined. 62.6% knew that HIV positive persons would develop AIDS. More than 80% asserted that they were strongly exposed to HIV infection at the AIDS Patient Care Services. Age at first intercourse ranged from 10 to 34 years (mean, 18.07 years). Men were more likely to have multiple partners than women (35% vs. 5%). 55.7% of nursing students regularly used condoms, especially among male students (p 0.05). 68.7% of nursing students wanted to undergo HIV testing. The remaining students did not want an HIV test for fear of a positive test inciting a suicidal attempt. 77.4% were afraid that they would find themselves infected during their practical training. The multivariate analysis showed that fear of becoming infected with HIV increased as the knowledge level fell. Lack of confidence to ask one's partner to use a condom had the most effect on fear of HIV infection (odds ratio [OR] = 7.47). Another strong factor was insufficient information on HIV infection (OR = 5.63). These findings suggest that the sexual behavior of the nursing students put them at higher risk of HIV infection than working with AIDS patients. They highlight the need to include HIV/AIDS education in the nursing curriculum.