Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Nurses Regarding HIV/AIDS in Mayo and Services Hospital Lahore Pakistan

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is becoming a worldwide problem and now a day's its seriousness towards last stage AIDS is going to be high in every place of world. The studies showed that, there is a gap between knowledge, attitude and practices of nurse's related HIV/AIDS. The nurses are not adhered to the universal precautions so the number of HIV/AIDS increasing day by day in developing countries. The study purpose is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among nurses regarding HIV/AID in Lahore Pakistan. The quantitative cross-sectional study design was used with convenient sampling (n=286) from Mayo and Services Hospital Lahore. The nurses who attended at least one HIV patient can be part of the study. Using the self-administered questioner, data was analyzed SPSS 21 version and application of chi-square test with (p=<0.05). The respondents 61.2% wear the gloves during taking sample. The participants 83.1% have knowledge about transmission of HIV/AIDS through blood. The respondents 27.7% had no knowledge that HIV/AIDS didn't transmit by casual contact. Only35% participants were aware that when the CD4 (glycoprotein found on the surface of immune cells) count is <200 then should assess the patient for antiretroviral therapy.7.7% nurses responded that gloves are not necessary during handling the HIV patient's blood and body fluids. Results indicate that due to high qualification there is increased level of knowledge. Only20.8% practiced the stigma and discrimination towards HIV/AIDS patients. Qualification and attitude of nurses are insignificant associate with each other. The every nurse should know about the transmission, nature of HIV, preventions and precautions of HIV. There is need to improve the knowledge and provide training especially universal precautions transmission of disease and antiretroviral therapy.