AIDS: Experiences and Attitudes of Nurses from Rural Communities in Pennsylvania and New York

SUMMARY

In this study we determined rural nurses’ educational preparation concerning AIDS, whether they thought their health care facilities and communities were prepared to care for persons with AIDS, their attitudes toward AIDS and homosexuality, and in what ways AIDS had or might affect their practice. A questionnaire, which included the Nurses’ AIDS Attitude Scale (NAAS), was administered to 738 employed registered nurses in 9 rural counties in Pennsylvania and New York. Findings suggest that this sample held many negative attitudes towards AIDS and homosexuality and had specific educational needs, especially in the psychosocial domain. They thought rural physicians and health care facilities were not yet well prepared to care for persons with AIDS.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Deborah Bray Preston

Deborah Bray Preston, RN, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Health Education and Nursing, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University.

Patricia Barthalow Koch

Patricia Barthalow Koch, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Education.

Elaine Wilson Young

Elaine Wilson Young, RN, PhD, is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Nursing at the same institution.