title: Exploring knowledge and skills on HIV in student nurses and midwives.
abstract: A cross-sectional survey design using a self-administered questionnaire was sent to a sample of 62 final-year student nurses and midwives to describe their knowledge of, skills related to, and attitudes towards, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Out of the 47 respondents who return the questionnaire, only 53% stated that they had received class instruction on the topic and 63.8% claimed to have increased their knowledge mainly from reading professional journals. Although only 32% said that they had cared for a patient or knew of a family member or another person with the disease, 91% indicated that they were willing to care for such patients. Overall, the respondents demonstrated positive attitudes towards this group of patients and a good level of knowledge about the subject, although some gaps were evident. However, a large majority stated that their skills to cater for the physical and psychological needs of this group of patients were deficient and would like further training.
authors.affiliation: University of Greenwich, Avery Hill Campus, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ven
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Veeramah
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bruneau
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McNaught
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education; D013338:Students, Nursing