Attitudes of baccalaureate nursing students in one school toward acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to gather information about the attitudes of nursing students toward Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and to determine if there was a relationship between demographic variables and the attitudes expressed. In this study the AIDS Attitude Scale developed by Shrum, Turner, and Bruce (1989) was administered to baccalaureate nursing students. The scale contained 54 items using a five-response scale and included six demographic variables. The results indicated that this sample had a positive attitude toward AIDS (mean = 73.58). Personally knowing someone with AIDS and level of knowledge of AIDS were found to significantly affect one's attitude toward AIDS. The findings of this study can assist nurse educators in planning appropriate content for AIDS education.