Tomohiro Ishimaru1,2, Koji Wada3, Sara Arphorn1, Derek R Smith4. 1. a Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health , Mahidol University , 420/1 Rajvithee Rd., Rachathewee, Bangkok 10400 , Thailand. 2. b Occupational Health Training Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health , 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555 , Japan. 3. c Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine , 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655 , Japan. 4. d College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University , Townsville , QLD 4811 , Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nurses may be unwilling to accept HIV-infected colleagues who can continue to work with patients if the provider-to-patient transmission risks have been appropriately assessed. AIMS: To assess the factors associated with nurses' willingness to accept HIV-infected colleagues as coworkers. DESIGN: Descriptive and cross-sectional. METHODS: An anonymous online survey targeting Japanese nurses working in hospitals or clinics (n = 992). Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with their willingness to accept HIV-positive colleagues before or after a risk assessment. RESULTS: Respondents who avoided contact with, and expressed discriminatory views about, HIV-infected colleagues were less willing to accept them. After undertaking an appropriate risk assessment, a high level of knowledge regarding HIV transmission increased the likelihood of acceptance towards HIV-infected colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: The use of risk assessment may increase nurses' willingness to accept HIV-infected colleagues, particularly among co-workers with a high level of knowledge about HIV.
BACKGROUND: Nurses may be unwilling to accept HIV-infected colleagues who can continue to work with patients if the provider-to-patient transmission risks have been appropriately assessed. AIMS: To assess the factors associated with nurses' willingness to accept HIV-infected colleagues as coworkers. DESIGN: Descriptive and cross-sectional. METHODS: An anonymous online survey targeting Japanese nurses working in hospitals or clinics (n = 992). Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with their willingness to accept HIV-positive colleagues before or after a risk assessment. RESULTS: Respondents who avoided contact with, and expressed discriminatory views about, HIV-infected colleagues were less willing to accept them. After undertaking an appropriate risk assessment, a high level of knowledge regarding HIV transmission increased the likelihood of acceptance towards HIV-infected colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: The use of risk assessment may increase nurses' willingness to accept HIV-infected colleagues, particularly among co-workers with a high level of knowledge about HIV.
Entities:
Keywords:
HIV infections; Japan; attitudes; nurses; risk assessment