Effects of nurses' risk perceptions of human immunodeficiency virus occupational exposure on their attitudes and behavior of self-protection

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of nurses' risk perceptions of occupational HIV exposure and the self-efficacy on their attitudes and behavior of self-protection in nursing care. Methods An anonymous survey was conducted in eligible nurses with self-designed questionnaire in three conveniently selected comprehensive hospitals in Wuhan. Structural equation modeling was applied in the data analysis. Results Risk perceptions exerted positive effects on the attitudes of self-protection. The standardized path coefficient was 0.45 (P=0.009). The attitudes of self-protection and the risk perceptions exerted no impact on the behavior of self-protection (P > 0.05).The impacts of the self-efficacy on the attitudes and the behavior of self-protection was positive. The standardized path coefficient was 0.15 (P= 0.02)and 0.53 (P < 0.01), respectively. Conclusions Risk perceptions exerted positive effects on the attitudes of self-protection. But the attitudes of self-protection and the risk perceptions exerted no impact on the behavior of self-protection. Self-efficacy can improve the attitudes of self-protection and enhance the behavior of self-protection. Key words: Occupational exposure; Human immunodeficiency virus; Risk perception; Self-protection; Structural equation model