title: The views of undergraduate nursing students on caring for patients with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted with the purpose of exploring and describing the views of undergraduate nursing students on caring for HIV/AIDS patients. The study population consisted of BCur III nursing students studying at the Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa). Participants were purposively selected. Focus group interviews were used as a data collection instrument. Guided by a group moderator and responding to a central research question, participants shared their views about caring for HIV/AIDS patients. Tesch's qualitative method of data analysis, as described by Cresswell (1994:155), was used to analyse the data. Caring for HIV/AIDS patients evoked emotions such as fear, anger and frustration among undergraduate nursing students. Students expressed needs such as the acquisition of knowledge and a reduction in the stigmatisation of patients with HIV/ AIDS, while the data analysis revealed demands such as more intensive clinical accompaniment by lecturers and antiretroviral therapy delivery by government. Suggested solutions included student participation in HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and the upholding of patients' rights. Curriculum innovation was recommended to improve students' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and to ensure the provision of quality care for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Madumo
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Peu
mesh_terms: D000786:Anger; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004645:Empathy; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005639:Frustration; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013240:Stereotyping; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires