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A Study of Knowledge and Practice among Nurses Regarding Care of human immunodeficiency virus Positive Patients in Medical College and Hospitals of Kolkata, India
Panchali Som1, Sharmistha Bhattacherjee2, Rituparna Guha3, Madhumita Basu4, Sumit Datta5
1 Department of Anatomy, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
2 Department of Community Medicine, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
3 Department of Health, Kolkata Corporation, NRS Medical College, Kolkata, India
4 Department of Community Medicine, NRS Medical College, Kolkata, India
5 Department of Radiology, MGM Medical College, Kishanganj, Bihar, India
Correspondence Address:
Panchali Som
C/O, Dr. Sumit Datta, Flat 1A, Trinayani Apartments, 131, Kalitala Main Road, North Pubachal, Kolkata - 700 078, West Bengal
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0331-3131.163330
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Background and Objectives: Nurses are the frontline health workers whose work compels them to come in contact with different blood-borne pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Therefore, their awareness regarding HIV is critical to successful implementation of the programmes.
Objectives: To find out the knowledge and practice regarding HIV among nurses in medical colleges of Kolkata.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out among 250 nurses employed in five medical colleges of Kolkata over a period of 2 months (January-February 2015). Their knowledge in the areas of virology, modes of transmission, prevention, and nursing practices regarding HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients' care was assessed using a pretested questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: While the basic information about the disease such as causative agent, modes of transmission, etc., were known to most of the participants, deficiencies in their knowledge and awareness in many critical areas of the disease such as voluntary counseling and infant feeding practices were noticed. The practice was also found to be unsatisfactory. Training in HIV was found to be an important factor influencing the knowledge of participants.
Conclusion: The knowledge and practice regarding HIV was found to be less than satisfactory which necessitates the need to impart focused training on prevention counseling regarding HIV, keeping in mind the rising incidence of HIV infection in India. |
