AEGiS-15IAC: HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude and practices among trained and untrained Basic Health Workers in Nepal.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude and practices among trained and untrained Basic Health Workers in Nepal.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D12233)

Visser HJ, Timilshina N, Dayal V, Rai B
INF, Pokhara, Nepal

BACKGROUND: Between 1999 and 2002 INF has been providing training on HIV/AIDS, and its various issues to nearly all the Basic Health Workers (BHWs) of Kaski district in the Western Development Region of Nepal. A comparative study was done to compare the HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of these BHWs with the KAP of untrained BHWs in Tanahun district. Methodology: Through stratified proportionate random sampling 50 BHWs in both districts were selected. All of them were interviewed at their workplace; a self-administered questionnaire was used.

RESULTS: Of the trained BHWS 68% displayed good knowledge on HIV/AIDS, compared to 30% of the untrained BHWs. In the trained group a higher proportion of the respondents indicated that they felt sorry for infected people (52% vs. 23%). More respondents of the trained group agreed that PLWHA have a right to live, and a higher percentage disagreed with isolation. Out of all the respondents 86% was aware of the need to take precautions while providing care, however correct knowledge about universal precautions was low in both groups. Use of universal precautions scored slightly higher in the trained group than in the untrained group. A large majority of the respondents from both groups, reported that supply of essential equipment and instruments was inadequate to meet their daily routine requirements. Nearly all participants expressed a (further) need for training, especially in the fields of universal precautions, counseling and STDs.

CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that the training has made a significant difference in the knowledge and attitude of the trained BHWs. However, the attitude of the trained BHWs is still not of a satisfactory level. The study showed no significant difference between the practices of the trained and untrained group, this is probably related with lack of proper equipment, materials and basic facilities. For future training the issue of universal precautions should be given due priority.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Universal Precautions, Data Collection, Questionnaires, Counseling, Nepal, manpower, education

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D12233