The attitudes of nurses towards HIV positive patients

Abstract

AIDS is increasing in South Africa at an alarming rate. Registered nurses consequently have more frequentcontact with HIV positive patients. During this contact the nurses’ behaviour are influenced by their attitudes.Negative attitudes may influence the quality of nursing care. In the light of this problem, the aim of this study wasto investigate the attitudes of nurses towards HIV positive patients and to set guidelines for potentially changingthese attitudes, in an attempt to improve the quality of care rendered to HIV positive persons. A qualitative designwas used. An interview schedule was compiled after a literature study of the construct attitude, the componentsof attitude, differences between values and attitudes, the purpose of attitudes and the way in which attitudes canbe changed. Nurses were identified for participation through purposive, voluntary sampling. Semi-structured in-terviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim. The researcher and a co-coder analysedthe data using a combination of Giorgi and Kerlinger’s methods of coding. Consensus on the main categories wasreached after discussion with the co-coder. The conclusion was made that the attitudes of nurses towards theHIV positive patient are mostly negative. Conflict between the personal and professional value systems of nursesexists. Nurses cope with the resulting discomfort by using defence and coping mechanisms, which hamper thedevelopment of a therapeutic relationship between them and HIV positive patients. Nurses entertain a biasedview of their own risks, considering risks only from occupational exposure. According to these findings, generaland specific guidelines for changing attitudes were set.