This study examined Thai nursing students' knowledge and health beliefs about the use of universal precautions to prevent infections, particularly HIV. After providing informed consent, 26 nursing students participated in the study. The students responded to a questionnaire with four sections: demographics, education, knowledge about universal precautions and transmission of HIV, and health beliefs. Students had substantial knowledge about the transmission of HIV; however, they were not confident in the use of universal precautions to prevent transmission. This research will assist occupational health nurses in hospitals and educational institutions develop programs to enhance skills and attitudes to prevent HIV infection.
References
1.
AhoW. R. (1979). Smoking, dieting and exercise: Age differences in attitudes and behavior relevant to selected health belief model variables. Rhode Island Medical Journal, 62, 85–92.
2.
ChampionV. L. (1984). Instrument development for health belief model constructs. Advances in Nursing Science, 6, 73–85.
3.
ChandlerR. C.PlanoJ. C. (1988). The public administration dictionary. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc
4.
ChinR. L.TabasJ. A.NeighborM. L.FranciscoS. (2001). A teaching module to prevent needle sticks and exposures to body fluid. Academic Medicine, 76(5), 529–530.
5.
DawsonD. A.CynamonM.FittiJ. E. (1988). AIDS knowledge and attitudes for October 1987 (DHHS Publication No. [PHS] 88-1250). Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics
6.
DeisenhammerS.RadonK.NowakD.ReichertJ. (2006). Needle stick injuries during medical training. Journal of Hospital Infection, 63(3), 263–267.
7.
EarlC. (1990). The effect of education on nursing students' knowledge and health care beliefs about AIDS (Unpublished master's thesis). Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan.
8.
EarlC. (1998). Health care beliefs of nursing students as predictors of intentions to care for AIDS patients (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
9.
EarlC. (2006). [Perceived knowledge and health beliefs about HIV/AIDS of health professionals in Quito, Ecuador]. Unpublished research
10.
GershonR. R.CurbowB.KelenG.CelantanoD.LearsK.VlahovD. (1994). Correlates of attitudes concerning human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among hospital workers. American Journal of Infection Control, 22(5), 293–299.
11.
HoranM. L.KimK. K.GendlerP.FromanR. D.PatelM. D. (1998). Development and evaluation of the osteoporosis self efficacy scale. Research in Nursing and Health, 21(5), 395–403.
12.
LeeJ. M.BottemanM. F.XanthakosN.NicklassonL. (2005). Needle stick injuries in the United States: Epidemiologic, economic, and quality of life issues. AAOHN Journal, 53(3), 117–133.
13.
McGovernP. M.VesleyD.KochevarL.GershonR.RhameF. S.AndersonE. (2000). Factors affecting universal precautions compliance. Journal of Business and Psychology, 15(1), 149–161.
14.
OsbornE.PapadakisM.GerberdingJ. (1999). Occupational exposures to body fluids among medical students: A seven year longitudinal study. American Society of Internal Medicine, 130(1), 45–51.
15.
PattersonJ.NovakC.MackinnonS.EllisR. (2003). Needle stick injuries among medical students. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, 31(4), 226–230.
16.
ReisJ.FilhoA.RampinelliC.SoaresE.PradoR.PedrosoE. (2004). Training-related accidents during teacher-student assistance activities of medical students. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 37(5), 16–25.
17.
RosenstockI. M. (1974). Historical origins of the health belief model. Health Education Monograph, 2, 324–473.
18.
RosenthalE.PradierC.Keita-PerseO.AltareJ.DellamonicaP.CassutoJ. (1999). Needle stick injuries among French medical students. Journal of the American Medical Association, 28(17), 1660.
19.
UrdangL.FlexnerS. (1968). The Random House dictionary of the English language (college edition). New York: Random House
20.
UwakweC. (2000). Systematized HIV/AIDS education for student nurses at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria: Impact on knowledge, attitudes and compliance with universal precautions. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 32(2), 416–424.
21.
WertzD. C.SorensonJ. R.LieblingL.KesslerI.HeereT. C. (1987). Knowledge and attitude of AIDS health care providers before and after educational programs. Public Health Reports, 102, 248–254.
