Nurses knowledge, attitudes and practices towards patients with HIV and AIDS in Kumasi, Ghana Article Swipe
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· 2019
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2019.05.001
· OA: W2931461568
Studies on knowledge, attitudes and practices among healthcare workers involved in \nHIV and AIDS care have often revealed the lack of knowledge about HIV and AIDS. \nNurses‘ knowledge may compromise the quality of care and attitudes towards patients \nliving with HIV/AIDS. Special nursing knowledge and skills have been suggested as a \nprerequisite for taking care of patients with HIV. The purpose of this study was to \nassess nurses‘ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards patients with HIV and AIDS \nin Kumasi, Ghana. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 247 \nnurses at five selected health facilities in Kumasi. Data was collected by means of a \nstructured self-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 23.0. \nResults were presented using charts and tables. Knowledge of HIV and AIDS was \nsatisfactory but some of the nurses still hold erroneous beliefs and misconception about \nHIV transmission. A majority demonstrated favourable attitudes. Nurses had fears of \ncontracting the virus, which resulted in the display of negative attitudes by some. Their \npractice of universal precautions was satisfactory; however, there was evidence of noncompliance \namong some of them. More studies should be conducted throughout the \ncountry to further assess nurses‘ knowledge, attitude and practices towards HIV and \nAIDS
