HIV infection and community nursing staff in Scotland--2. Knowledge and attitudes.

Findings from a survey of community nursing staff in Scotland reveal that there is limited knowledge about many aspects of HIV infection. Respondents were concerned about their lack of experience and knowledge as well as the in-service education that they had received. A substantial minority of community nursing staff felt that they should have the right to refuse to care for HIV-infected patients and those whose lifestyle put them at risk of HIV infection. A majority of staff felt that health professionals who are most at risk of contact with HIV-infected materials should be informed of patients' HIV-antibody status without their consent. There were also some indications of a lack of confidence in service managers and recommendations are made regarding ways of increasing both the knowledge and confidence of front-line staff.