Student s Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Toward Patients with HIV/AIDS at College of Nursing, King Saud University

The aim of this study was to investigate student s knowledge, attitude and practices toward patients with HIV/AIDS at College of Nursing, King Saud University. A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized in this study to achieve the stated aim. This study was carried out at Female College of Nursing, King Saud University at AL Riyadh City. The researchers began to collect the data from the fourth level students, and then the fifth, seventh, and eighth levels where they work with different categories of patients and they can deal with patients with infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Data collected by using a structured, self administered questionnaire regarding the student nurse knowledge, attitude and practices toward the HIV/AIDS patients. It consisted of 4 parts with total of 39 items. Part one included students personal profile such as age, marital status and academic level. Part two contained questions to estimate students knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Part three consisted of 24 statements regarding student s attitude toward AIDS/HIV patients. Part four included 7 statements to assess students responses about health practices with patient with HIV/AIDS. Data were collected, tabulated, scored and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Study findings revealed significant positive statistical correlations between students knowledge and their attitude and practices toward patients with HIV/AIDS. Based on the results of the present study, the researchers recommended an educational program along with continued practical experiences to help minimize phobias, misconceptions, and other barriers to health care for HIV/AIDS patients.