Assessment of Knowledge Regarding HIV/AIDS among Nursing Students

Abstract

Nursing students being the future nurses need to have an appropriate knowledge regarding HIV/AID. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among nursing students of a premier nursing institute. Using purposive sampling technique 39 final year students of undergraduate programme were selected for the study. A pre validated, semi structured questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge regarding various aspects of the disease. The mean age (yr) of the subjects was 21.4 ±0.63. The study revealed that 77% students were aware that HIV/AIDS is a communicable disease. 85% students accepted the fact that there is no vaccine for HIV/AIDS. Around half of the students had knowledge regarding the post exposure prophylaxis. Overall, about 60% students had average knowledge score regarding HIV/AIDS. It is recommended that more emphasis on teaching to nursing students in preview of HIV/AIDS needs to be appreciated and strengthened to combat this devastating problem.