Globally, 35.3 million people are estimated to live with HIV, two-third of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, it is of utmost importance – besides efforts to curb incidence – to prepare health care staff in this region to work with affected people. The actual knowledge of health care staff should be evaluated before continuous training is developed. The present study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of health care workers with vocational training in relation to the transmission/ management of HIV/AIDS in 3 hospitals of Niger state of Nigeria by using an adapted WHO questionnaire.
In the framework of the study, a cross-sectional survey was carried out, followed by a short ad-hoc training subsequent to which the survey was repeated with the same instrument in order to assess how knowledge and attitudes were changed after the training. Data were analyzed using chi- square test, Z-test and Univariate/Multivariate analysis.
The results from the survey indicated that the following variables used as outcome variables for knowledge were significant: no difference between HIV and AIDS, tears as a body fluid is a risk factor in the transmission of HIV, there is a cure for HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS is a private matter, it is essential to wear gloves when assisting a bleeding person, sexual intercourse with a virgin can cure HIV/AIDS and status disclosure.
The significant outcome variables for attitude are; are you concerned about getting HIV performing your, client was denied care that he/she should have received and clients treated with disrespect or abused.
The following outcome variables for practice in the study that were significant are: I can acre for someone infected with HIV or dying with AIDS, degree of concern in taking the blood pressure of HIV patients, degree of concern in changing bed linens of HIV patients, degree of concern in changing of clothing of HIV patients, degree of concern in dressing HIV/AIDS patients wound and degree of concern in giving injection to HIV patients.
There is a pressing need for continuous training and re-training of staff in all 3 hospitals and very likely in other hospitals in the State as well.