AEGiS-13IAC: Health service factors influencing knowledge, attitude and practices of nurses towards HIV/AIDS in a rural hospital of Cameroon.

13th International AIDS Conference


Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

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Health service factors influencing knowledge, attitude and practices of nurses towards HIV/AIDS in a rural hospital of Cameroon.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. MoOrB185)

Mbanya D, Zebaze R, Minkoulou E, Kengne AP, Beure
D. Mbanya, B.P. 8046, Yaounde, Cameroon, Tel.: +237 315 235, Fax: +237 315 235, E-mail: jean-claude.mbanya@camnet.cm

ISSUES: Although nosocomial transmission is not documented in most developing countries, this mode of transmission is obviously significant, given the working conditions in most settings and the resources available in the hospitals to enhance prevention. Therefore, the health care provider in this setting is highly exposed not only to contracting the virus, but may also contribute to its spread. Furthermore, his/her role in HIV/AIDS control and prevention could be important. Hence, this study was carried out among the nurses of a rural hospital of Cameroon to evaluate the health service factors that influence their general knowledge on various aspects of HIV/AIDS and their responses or attitudes towards the infection and infected persons.

DESCRIPTION: Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted among nurses of various grades in all the services of the hospital.

CONCLUSIONS: The major Health Service factors that influence knowledge, attitudes and practices that were approved by many nurses in all the FGD were: the lack of adequate information by personnel (due to the absence of refresher courses and seminars); the lack of commitment to change attitudes and practices by informed personnel (influenced by the lack of sufficient means to enable them comply completely with standard regulations); the lack of in-service promotions and the continuous fear of getting infected by the virus through patient care. Most were also unanimous that low income also influenced their activity. With the HIV prevalence in the urban cities of Cameroon equalling that of rural villages, the same sensitisation techniques are required for both communities. IEC and compliance with international working norms remain essential tools in the control of its spread in hospital settings. Decision makers, local NGOs and international funding bodies all have an important contribution to make.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Nurses, Knowledge, Hospitals, Rural, Attitude, HIV Seropositivity, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Attitude of Health Personnel, Health Personnel, Developing Countries, Cameroon, HumanKWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,nurses,knowledge,hospitals,rural,attitude,hivseropositivity,healthknowledge,attitudes,practice,attitudeofhealthpersonnel,healthpersonnel,developingcountries,cameroon,human
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MoOrB185

Copyright © 2000 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.