Knowledge and Attitudes of Certified Athletic Trainers in Pennsylvania Toward HIV/AIDS and Treating HIV-Positive Athletes.
OBJECTIVE
As the number of people infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to increase so does the likelihood that athletic trainers will treat HIV-positive athletes. The purposes of this study were to determine how knowledgeable certified athletic trainers in Pennsylvania are about HIV/ AIDS and their attitudes toward treating the injuries of HIV- positive/AIDS athletes. Another purpose of this study was to determine what effect the athletic trainers' HIV/AIDS attitudes had on their HIV/AIDS knowledge level.


METHODS
A questionnaire was mailed to 807 NATA-certified athletic trainers who resided in the state of Pennsylvania. A total of 410 (50.8%) athletic trainers participated in the study: 241 (58.8%) males and 169 (41.2%) females.


METHODS
NATA-certified athletic trainers who resided in the state of Pennsylvania as of March 19, 1994.


METHODS
A questionnaire was developed by the investigators after reviewing the appropriate literature and in consultation with a panel of experts that consisted of athletic trainers, physicians, and a health educator who specialized in HIV/AIDS education. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic information, HIV/AIDS knowledge, and HIV/AIDS attitude. Returned questionnaires were analyzed via descriptive (frequencies, percentages, and means) and inferential statistics. Univariate analysis consisted of independent t tests to determine what effect the athletic trainers' HIV/AIDS attitudes had on their HIV/AIDS knowledge level.


RESULTS
NATA-certified athletic trainers in Pennsylvania are moderately knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and have constructive attitudes in treating the athletic injuries of HIV-positive/ AIDS athletes. Their major concern, however, is fear of HIV transmission. It was further determined that differences in HIV/AIDS attitudes had no effect on HIV/ AIDS knowledge level.


CONCLUSIONS
The likelihood that athletic trainers will treat HIV-positive athletes is ever increasing. HIV/AIDS education and appropriate clinical precautions are paramount in protecting the clinician and athlete alike.
Department of Physical Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
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Boyle
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Sitler
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Kimura
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Rogers
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Duffy