[The attitudes to and needs for education on HIV infection among primary care health professionals].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the attitudes, knowledge and training needs for primary care health professionals (PCP) dealing with HIV/AIDS infection.

DESIGN

An observational, crossover study.

SETTING

primary care: health districts in the Ciutat Vella health area of the city of Barcelona.

PARTICIPANTS

34 nursing professionals and 32 general practitioners.

INTERVENTIONS

A validated questionnaire, which was self-administered, anonymous and filled in under supervision during October 1994.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Everyone answered a 20-question multiple choice test of knowledge and a 5-point Likert-type attitudes scale with 10 items. The PCP overall displayed: insufficient scores on the test of knowledge, on positive attitudes, on the difficulty of asking about risk practices if the reason for consultation is unrelated, on safety in handling, and need for training.

CONCLUSIONS

Half the PCP displayed a level of theoretical preparation in need of improvement. Their positive attitudes and the clear need for more training on the question make it very likely that our PCPs would take advantage of training programmes. The situation in areas with less prevalence of the infection might well be different.