Obstetric nurses' attitudes and nursing care intentions regarding care of HIV-positive pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
To define attitudes toward pregnant women with HIV and how these attitudes correlate with and affect prejudice and nursing care intentions.


METHODS
Cross-sectional descriptive correlational study of obstetric nurses.


METHODS
Eight hundred (800) mailed surveys in the United States (N = 350).


METHODS
A random sample of nurses certified in inpatient obstetrics.


METHODS
Background information tool, the Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale, the Prejudice Interaction Scale in response to four vignettes, and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale-Form C.


RESULTS
Obstetric nurses had more positive Mothering-Choice attitudes than Sympathy-Rights attitudes (p= .000). Nurses who knew more than four people affected by HIV/AIDS had more positive attitudes (p<or= .05). Nurses with more positive attitudes were less prejudiced and more willing to care for pregnant women with HIV (p= .05). Nurses were significantly more prejudiced and less willing to care for women with than without HIV (p<or= .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses' clinical care may be influenced by their attitudes and prejudice toward pregnant women with HIV. Nursing education should include how prejudice can affect our clinical decision making and behaviors. Research is needed to explicate the effects on patient outcomes.
Tyer-Viola
Lynda A
LA
Department of Patient Care Services in the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. ltyerviola@partners.org
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000451:nursing*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000451:nursing*; D011287:Prejudice; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012928:Social Desirability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States