Attitudes of a group of South African speech and hearing therapists towards patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Attitudes of a group of South African speech and hearing therapists towards patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

S Afr J Commun Disord. 1991;38:49-62. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/94323811
Johnston E; Ross E; Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of the; Witwatersrand.

Abstract: The present study investigated the attitudes, knowledge and fears of a group of 31 speech-language pathologists and audiologists working in 13 hospital settings, concerning patients with AIDS/HIV. Individuals completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire assessing self-perceived level of knowledge, actual knowledge of modes of transmission of the AIDS virus and protection procedures, and attitudes and fears associated with treatment of AIDS/HIV patients. Qualitative data concerning responses to this epidemic were also obtained and statistical analyses were completed to determine the relationship between the above mentioned variables. Results indicate that the higher the respondents' level of actual knowledge, the more they reportedly feared the disease. No correlation was found between respondents' level of actual knowledge and their attitudes. Information needs were identified which have important implications for future education. In addition, proposed policy guidelines for speech-language pathologists and audiologists in contact with AIDS/HIV patients, based on the above results of the study are provided.
Keywords: *Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/PREVENTION & CONTROL/ TRANSMISSION Fear Female Human *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Occupational Diseases/PSYCHOLOGY Questionnaires Risk Factors *Speech-Language Pathology Support, Non-U.S. Gov't JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/prevention&control/transmissionfearfemalehumanKWDknowledge,attitudes,practiceoccupationaldiseases/psychologyquestionnairesriskfactorsKWDspeech-languagepathologysupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tjournalarticle
941130
M94B0779

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