Fear of AIDS among clinical laboratory scientists: a follow-up survey.

OBJECTIVE

To compare attitudes and behaviors about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) of clinical laboratory scientists (CLSs) who are considering leaving the profession with those of CLSs planning to stay in the profession.

DESIGN

Survey of a convenience sample of conference attendees.

SETTING

Annual meetings of the New Jersey Society for Medical Technologists held April 4-5, 1990, in Woodbridge, New Jersey, and April 9-10, 1988, in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 212 attendees at each conference.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Scales measuring CLSs' knowledge of AIDS, fear of acquiring AIDS, satisfaction with employers' AIDS policies, and degree of compliance with universal blood precautions; and comparison of demographic data.

RESULTS

Both surveys showed that, compared with CLSs planning to stay in the profession, CLSs considering leaving the field were more afraid of acquiring AIDS, less confident about their employers' AIDS policies, and equally knowledgeable about AIDS.

CONCLUSIONS

CLSs who are considering leaving the profession are more cautious than those planning to stay, and the determinants that shape the fear of AIDS require further definition.