Human immunodeficiency virus infection: knowledge of the disease and attitudes toward related issues and policies among health care workers in a low-incidence nonurban hospital.

We compared the knowledge and attitudes regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among employees in a tertiary care teaching hospital in a nonurban southeastern city with a relatively low incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). All 260 physicians and a random sample of 240 other employees were asked to complete a 59-item anonymous mail survey. All groups of respondents, including physicians, showed a lack of understanding of critical aspects of AIDS, particularly transmission. Negative attitudes such as victim blaming and not liking to care for persons with HIV infection were common, especially among house staff and respondents who do not give hands-on care. Misinformation, aversion, fear, and lack of compassion were evidenced by a substantial proportion of the respondents, particularly house staff. The attitudes expressed suggest that there is more focus on the rights of the caregiver than on the welfare of patients. These findings show that there is a need for medical education that focuses on both knowledge and affective issues of HIV infection.