Surgical nurses and their concerns of acquiring HIV infection at the workplace.
A study was conducted to identify pertaining to the care of HIV infected patients among nurses in the County of West Pomerania. Most of the respondents (43.2%) were working in municipal hospitals, 38.7% in hospitals located in the country and 18% in academic hospitals. The responding nurses ranged in age from 20 to 58 (median 38 years). Median of work experience was 16 (1-28) years. The respondents were divided into 3 groups: A--the nurses who expressed serious concern about HIV infection, 62.9%; B--some degree of concern, 31.3%; C--not concerned, 4.3%. An HIV/AIDS workshop was attended by 74.6% of respondents from group A and 76.6% from group B (p > 0.85). The occupational exposure reported 49.5% nurses from group A, 39.9% from group B and 42.4% from group C (p > 0.3). The gloves were "always" used by 82.5% respondents from group A, 87.8% from group B and 76.9% from group C (p > 0.07). 79.9% of nurses from group A, 53.2% from group B and 42.3% (p < 0.0001) favored HIV antibodies testing of all patients.
Milona
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Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland. mmilona@wp.pl
Gańczak
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M
Szych
Z
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D000328:Adult; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009871:Operating Room Nursing