title: HIV Care Nurses' Knowledge of HIV Criminalization: A Feasibility Study.
abstract: HIV-related criminal laws in some jurisdictions may hamper population health efforts to manage HIV and bring about an AIDS-free generation. HIV care nurses have an instrumental role to play in ensuring equitable care and health for all in a context of HIV. The purpose of our study was to determine HIV care nurses' knowledge of HIV-related criminal laws. Ecosocial theory and content expert opinion guided development of a questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge of HIV-related criminal laws. A total of 174 HIV care nurses from Canada (n = 23) and the United States (n = 151) completed the questionnaire. Knowledge gaps were observed in several aspects of HIV-related criminal laws that can influence nursing clinical practices. Nurses should increase their knowledge of HIV-related criminal laws to ensure the success of population health initiatives and to reduce stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV.
authors.forename: J Craig
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Jean-Laurent
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Domingue
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petty
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Coker
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Shari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Margolese
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D003416:Criminal Law; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D000069576:Health Equity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: criminal laws; ecosocial theory; ethics; health equity; human rights; nursing practice