Knowledge and attitudes of health care staff about HIV infection in a health district with low HIV prevalence.

The level of awareness of HIV related problems and their implications for health workers were investigated in Oxford, where the problem of HIV infection has not reached the levels of other metropolitan areas. Four hundred nurses and doctors in Oxford were surveyed to ascertain their knowledge about HIV infection, their attitudes to care of HIV patients, and to examine the relationship between knowledge and attitudes. The response rate was 64%. Professional groups differed in their knowledge and attitudes, and staff lacked some basic information about HIV transmission and safety relevant to hospital care. Accurate knowledge about HIV infection and positive attitudes to the care of HIV patients were highly correlated. However, anxiety about HIV infection, which could interfere with the optimum care of patients, affected one quarter of staff surveyed. Implications for staff training are discussed.