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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Knowledge and Attitudes Among Hospital-Based Healthcare Professionals in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Allen F. Anderson*
Affiliation:
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Kokomo, Kokomo, Indiana
Zheng Qingsi
Affiliation:
Department of Social Medicine, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
Wu Guanglin
Affiliation:
Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
Li Zhijun
Affiliation:
Foreign Affairs Office, Guangxi Health and Anti-Epidemic Center, Nanning, People's Republic of China
Liu Wei
Affiliation:
Guangxi Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Guangxi Health and Anti-Epidemic Center, Nanning, People's Republic of China
*
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, KE330, Indiana University Kokomo, Kokomo, IN 36904

Abstract

Background and Objective:

Since the discovery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on the Chinese mainland in 1985, the virus has spread to all provinces and autonomous regions. Although much research emphasis has been placed on studying behaviors and transmission knowledge among high-risk populations, especially drug abusers and commercial sex workers, little has been done to measure understanding within other risk groups. The objective of this study was to investigate HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge and attitudes among hospital-based healthcare professionals in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China.

Methods:

Data were gathered through a questionnaire completed by a convenience sample of individuals from three diverse hospitals.

Results:

Insufficient knowledge of the disease and its transmission resulted in more than 90% of the respondents expressing apprehension about contracting the virus and nearly 24% expressing reservations about caring for infected patients.

Conclusion:

Uncorrected, such attitudes and knowledge deficiencies have the potential to impact negatively on the quality of care, patient-practitioner safety, and proper postexposure prophylaxis.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2003

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