Survey of attitudes of nurses working with AIDS patients. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1987. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Survey of attitudes of nurses working with AIDS patients.

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1987 Jan;9(1):58-63. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/87134969
Blumenfield M; Smith PJ; Milazzo J; Seropian S; Wormser GP

Abstract: This article reports the results of a ten-question anonymous survey given to nurses at Westchester County Medical Center in July 1983 and January 1984 concerning attitudes about caring for AIDS patients. Two-thirds of the responding nurses reported that they had friends or family express concern about associating with hospital personnel who have contact with AIDS patients. Other questions showed that between one fourth and one half of nurses have a fear of caring for homosexual men and male prisoners because of their awareness about AIDS. One half of the nurses believe that AIDS can be transmitted to hospital personnel because of contact with patients despite precautions. The fear of caring for patients with AIDS as compared to caring for patients with hepatitis, a more contagious but less serious disease than AIDS, was highest in the intensive care unit staff. Eighty-five percent of the health care personnel responding believed that pregnant nurses should not care for AIDS patients and one half of the nurses responding indicated that they would ask for a transfer if they had to care for AIDS patients on a regular basis. The implication of these findings for future treatment programs, medical and nursing education and psychologic support for staff are discussed.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION *Attitude of Health Personnel Female Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over Human New York *Nurse-Patient Relations Opportunistic Infections/PSYCHOLOGY Pregnancy Referral and Consultation Resuscitation/PSYCHOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDpsychology/transmissionKWDattitudeofhealthpersonnelfemalehospitalbedcapacity,500andoverhumannewyorkKWDnurse-patientrelationsopportunisticinfections/psychologypregnancyreferralandconsultationresuscitation/psychologyjournalarticle
870630
M8760390

Copyright © 1987 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1987. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1987. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .