Evaluation of health care workers knowledge and attitudes about AIDS

This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of physicians and nurses about AIDS. The study was conducted between February and June 2024 with 175 physicians and nurses who volunteered for the study and met the inclusion criteria in a public hospital, after obtaining permission from the ethics committee and the institution. The G*Power 3.1. 9.7 program was used to collect the data. A general information form containing socio-demographic characteristics was collected using the AIDS Knowledge and Attitude Scales. Percentages, means, t test, One-Way ANOVA test and Pearson correlation test were used in statistical analyses. In the study, simple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the AIDS knowledge and attitude levels of physicians and nurses. These people have the opinion that establishing a close relationship with an AIDS patient is unacceptable. However, some healthcare professionals have a more understanding attitude towards AIDS patients. The average score of physicians and nurses on the AIDS knowledge scale was found to be 13.11 (±3.63) and the average score of the attitude scale was found to be 49,95 (±10,51). The simple linear regression results showed that the AIDS knowledge scale score significantly predicted the AIDS attitude scale score. When the relationship between sociodemographic variables and AIDS knowledge and attitude levels was examined, a statistically significant relationship was found only between the gender variable and the AIDS knowledge level. These results show that healthcare professionals generally have a moderate level of AIDS knowledge and attitude. According to the results of the research, it can be said that a high level of knowledge towards AIDS causes attitudes to become more complex and that the formation and change of attitudes are affected by emotional and behavioral factors as well as cognitive factors. Therefore, to improve individuals' attitudes, it is necessary to focus not only on knowledge but also on emotional and behavioral dimensions.