Evolución de los conocimientos y actitudes del personal de enfermería respecto de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)

Abstract

Objective To assess nurses’ knowledge of and attitudes to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection at the Mútua de Terrassa Hospital in 2002 and to analyze differences and similarities with the study performed in Bellvitge Hospital in 1992. Both hospitals are situated in the province of Barcelona (Spain). Method We performed a cross sectional, descriptive, analytic study based on a self-administered questionnaire in 2002 and compared the results with those of the study performed in Bellvitge Hospital in 1992. A representative randomized sample was selected from nurses and health care assistants. Results Two hundred sixteen completed questionnaires (response rate of 80%) were received in 2002 from the Mútua de Terrassa Hospital and 170 (response rate of 100%) were received from the study performed in Bellvitge Hospital in 1992. A notable finding was that knowledge about HIV treatment had improved. Knowledge of specific areas also improved; 12% more nurses reported knowledge of universal precautions and 62% had sufficient time and material to apply them. Ninety-nine percent of nursing professionals did not recommend reshielding used needles. Fear of HIV contamination decreased by 26% and social discrimination by 9%. In 2002, 29% of nursing professionals reported they would work with HIV patients. Conclusions Nurses’ knowledge of HIV has improved. Attitudes, motivation and acceptance toward AIDS patients are more favorable.