Health Workers and AIDS

Abstract

The objective of the study was to measure the level of HIV/AIDS related anxiety among health care workers and identify its determinants. Data were obtained by means of a mailed, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire distributed to 2561 Danish medical doctors, nurses and nursing aides drawn randomly from the lists of members of the respective national associations. The data were analysed on the basis of a pre-study model including 12 variables hypothesizing a hierarchy of causal dependencies with anxiety at the top.

44% of the participants expressed HIV/AIDS related anxiety — hospital workers more than primary care workers, the older less than the younger. Anxiety was significantly associated with negative/restrictive attitudes towards HIV positives and gay men and with low levels of knowledge about HIV transmission and less education about HIV/AIDS.

Negative/restrictive attitudes towards HIV positives were associated both with less knowledge regarding HIV transmission and fewer contacts with HIV positives. Similar associations were found regarding gay men.

It is suggested that new kinds of training programmes be established which focus much more on attitudes and norms concerning HIV/AIDS — especially among health care workers with only occasional contact with HIV patients.

Keywords

acquired immune deficiency syndrome human immunodeficiency virus health practitioner health care system information knowledge attitude anxiety homosexuality epidemiology.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Douglas C , Kalman C , Kalman T. Homophobia among physician and nurses. Hosp Community Phychiatr 1985; 36: 1309–11.

2. Blumenfield M , Smith PJ , Milazzo J et al. Survey of attitudes of nurses working with AIDS patients. General Hosp Psychiatr 1987; 9: 58–63.

3. Klein M , Pfeffer D. Homosexuality and the physician. New Physician 1985; 34: 43–8.

4. O'Donnel L , O'Donnel CR , Pleck JH. Psychosocial responses of hospital workers to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). J App Soc Psychol 1987; 3: 269–85.

5. Schmidt K. AIDS 1988. årsopgörelse. Del 1. Epi-Nyt 1989; 7 (Feb): 1–4.

6. Gordin FM , Willoughby AD , Levine LA , Gurel L , Neill KM. Knowledge of AIDS among hospital workers: Behavioral correlates and consequences. AIDS 1987; 1: 183–8.

7. Fouchard J , Krasnik A. Dansk sundhedspersonales forhold til HIV. Ugeskr Léger 1989; 151: 1540–4.

8. O'Donnel L , O'Donnel CR. Hospital workers and AIDS: Effect of in-service education on knowledge and perceived risks and stresses. NY State J Med 1987; 87: 278–80.

9. Mathews WC , Booth MW , Turner JD , Kessler L. Physicians' attitudes towards homosexuality – Survey of a California county medical society. West J Med 1986; 144: 106–10.

10.

10. Nelkin D. AIDS and the social sciences: Review of useful knowledge and research needs. Rev Infect Dis 1987; 9: 980–6.

11.

11. Gatherer A , Parfit J , Porter E , Vessey M. Is health education effective? Abstracts, bibliography and overview of evaluated studies. London: The Health Education Council, 1979.

12.

12. Morton AD , McManus IC. Attitudes to and knowledge about the acquired immune deficiency syndrome: lack of correlation. Br Med J 1986; 293: 1212.

13.

13. Valenti WM , Anarella JP. Survey of hospital personnel on the understanding of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Am J Infect Control 1986; 14: 60–3.

14.

14. Sletner T , Brynestad JA , Aabo TO. Stor skepsis til myndighetenes informasjon. AIDS-info 1987; 3 (May): 2–4.

15.

15. Link RN , Feingold AR , Charap MH , Freeman K , Shelov SP. Concerns of medical and pediatric house officers about acquiring AIDS from their patients. Am J Public Health 1988; 78: 455–9.

16.

16. Boyton R , Scambler G. Survey of general practitioners' attitudes to AIDS in the North West Thames and East Anglian regions. Br Med J 1988; 296: 538–40.

17.

17. Milne RIG , Keen SM.

Are general practitioners ready to prevent the spread of HIV?

Br Med J 1988; 296: 533–7.