Abstract

Background: Research studies show deficits regarding knowledge about the use of standard precautions and transmission of HIV and problematic attitudes towards persons who are HIV +. Ecuador is a middle income country with health issues related to poverty, and low education levels. The prevalence of HIV cases in Ecuador has been increasingly steadily for the past 25 years. There is a paucity of research conducted in Ecuador related to knowledge and the use of standard precautions by health workers. It has been found that knowledge regarding HIV transmission may be lacking and can be due to inadequate resources health professionals use to stay current with this topic. HIV related stigma is prevalent in medical settings worldwide.
Objective: To examine knowledge and health beliefs about HIV and the use of standard precautions. This research will assist health professionals to examine content needed related to HIV education and assess if health professionals are developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to care for HIV+ patients.
Setting: A 250 bed public hospital in Ecuador, 25 bed unit, total staff of 75
Design: Cross Sectional Descriptive Research Design
Population: Thirty seven health professionals participated in this study. This included nurses, physicians, physical therapists, and laboratory personnel.
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study of thirty seven health professionals in Ecuador was conducted. The four instruments used were: HIV Demographic Information, HIV Education Information, HIV Knowledge Questionnaire and HIV Health Care Belief Scale. . For the reliability of the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire used in previous studies, Kuder Richardson formula 20 was used results were .7061. For the total reliability of the HIV Health Care Belief Scale in previous studies Cronbach’s alpha was determined, results were 83. These instruments were developed by the author.
Results: Of the thirty seven health professionals who participated, only one subject passed the knowledge survey. Fears and misconceptions were prevalent, as most of the participants’ information about HIV was obtained from college classes, books, and the media, and most were unsure about or chose not to work with an HIV+ patient. Most respondents would not choose to care for or were unsure if they would care for an HIV+ patient.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that health care workers in this setting lack knowledge about HIV transmission. The findings have implications for continuing education for professionals to incorporate evidence-based research as a base for accurate knowledge about HIV transmission. Of the 8 health belief concepts studied, moral sophistication was highly prominent in this sample, indicating participants were not offended by people who are HIV+, yet most of the participants would not choose to care for HIV + patients or were unsure if they would care for an HIV + patient.