Abstract:
Tanzania has one of the highest incidences. In the
literature on AIDS, much attention has been paid to the
Western health care workers' knowledge of and attitudes
toward AIDS. Little is known of the knowledge and attitudes
of health care workers of other countries.
This study provides a descriptive and comparative
examination of Tanzanian nurses' knowledge of, and attitudes
toward AIDS and their perceived support when caring for
patients with AIDS.
A self-completing questionnaire was used to collect
data. Questionnaires, were completed and returned by 172 of
the 180 nurses to whom they were distributed, a response
rate of 95.5%. Data analysis included descrip~ive
statistics, ~-test, Pearson correlation analysis of variance
and multiple regression.
The research revealed that 96% of Tanzanian nurses
appeared to have satisfactory level of knowledge about AIDS;
however, they are overly cautious and have negative
attitudes toward the care of patients with HIV/AIDS. They
indicated fear of contagion (AIDSphobia). Unlike nurses In
other studies, most nurses indicated that they had a
supportive working environment (informal support groups) In
their working areas. Further, they received support from
their family and friends.
It is apparent from these results that more effort must
be expended in the education program of Tanzanian nurses if
negative attitudes about caring for patients with AIDS are
to change to positive attitudes so that quality care to
patients can be provided.
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