AEGiS-07IAC: AIDS education in the workplace among Washington state employees.

7th International AIDS Conference

Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

AIDS education in the workplace among Washington state employees.

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:449 (abstract no. W.D.4247)
Bolanos M, Fields M, Peppert J; Dept. of Health, Olympia, Washington, USA

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of HIV/AIDS education in the workplace, a knowledge and attitude study was completed in 1,458 state employees over a 6 month period. 28% of the employees were licensed professionals in the health care field. 72% of the employees were non-licensed.

METHODS: An educational program was implemented to provide basic knowledge on HIV/AIDS in the workplace. This educational program, "Living Smart", was composed of a 2 hour inservice for non-licensed employees. For the licensed employees, this course was expanded to 3 and 4 hour segments to include additional topics on criminal justice and health care issues on HIV/AIDS. Topics included in this course were: epidemiology, transmission, prevention, infection control, pre-and post-test HIV antibody counselling, psychosocial, legal and ethical issues of HIV/AIDS.

RESULTS: Retention of knowledge and change in attitude regarding HIV/AIDS was measured through 3 survey questionnaires administered before the educational program was inserviced, immediately after the inservice, and a follow-up survey mailed to the participant 4 weeks later. Results of the study showed an increase in knowledge immediately post-inservice. The 1 month follow-up survey showed a decrease in some retention of information. The non-licensed employees showed a more significant drop in retention than the licensed employees. Statistical analysis of the survey results of the 15 questions concerning knowledge indicate that 11 of these questions show a statistically significant increase in knowledge over time (p less than .05). Attitudes of both groups showed a positive understanding of knowledge immediately post-test, with some decreased retention of knowledge over time, as reflected in the 1 month follow-up. Statistical analysis of the survey results of the 10 questions concerning attitude indicate that 9 of these questions show a statistically significant increase in positive attitude/knowledge over time (p less than .05).

CONCLUSION: We conclude education can impact knowledge and attitude concerning HIV/AIDS. Ongoing continuing education is necessary to respond to concerns regarding HIV/AIDS in the workplace.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Workplace, HIV Infections, Delivery of Health Care, Attitude, Data Collection, Questionnaires, Knowledge, Washington, prevention & control, manpower, education, ICA7
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