title: Influence of education on self-perceived attitudes about HIV/AIDS among human services providers.
abstract: Participants in a number of different HIV/AIDS educational programs, varying in content, length of course, and student audience, were surveyed to determine if education could help reduce fear and increase comfort in work with HIV/AIDS clients. It was hypothesized that attitude scores would improve following exposure to the educational programs. A retrospective pretest-posttest survey design consisting of Likert statements was used. A t test for paired samples determined if attitude scores improved following exposure to the educational programs. An analysis of variance determined if significant differences in pretest and posttest scores existed among the groups. Within groups, there was a positive increase in self-assessed attitude scores. Multiple group comparisons indicated significant differences between groups that appear to be related to program content and length. Workplace risk and whether a program was elective may have also been factors affecting attitude.
authors.affiliation: Health Science and Policy Program, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21228.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005239:Fear; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education*