NURSES AND NURSING STUDENTS ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH HIV/AIDS IN THE BUEA REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

This research entitled Nurses/ Nursing Students Attitudes And Perception Towards The Care And Treatment Of Patients With Hiv/Aids In The Buea Regional Hospital was aimed at reducing the stigma faced by people living with HIV/AIDS due to misunderstandings and misinformation by improving the nurse’s awareness on the preventive methods of the disease. Nurses and Nursing students will be able to educate patients to be able to identify the Signs and Symptoms, Preventive measures, Mode of Transmission of HIV/AIDS and report to the Health Unit for necessary action. The study  was carried out at the Buea Regional Hospital using a sample size of 60 Nurses and Nursing students who were selected by convenient sampling techniques such as questionnaires.

The data was then analyzed manually and presented on tables, figures, and charts. Results obtained showed that the majority of participants showed a negative attitude and had negative perceptions towards patients with HIV/AIDS.

Based on observations made in the field, the researcher put forward the following recommendations: sensitization be done, contraceptives be made affordable and accessible, campaigns organized and brochures made available at all Health Centers.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1.Background

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Following initial infection, a person may not notice any symptoms or may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness.

Typically, this is followed by a prolonged period with no symptoms. If the infection progresses, it interferes more with the immune system, increasing the risk of developing common infections such as tuberculosis, as well as other opportunistic infections, and tumors that are otherwise rare in people who have a normal immune function. These late symptoms of infection are referred to as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This stage is often also associated with unintended weight loss.

HIV is spread primarily by unprotected sex (including anal and oral sex), contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva, sweat and tears do not transmit the virus. HIV is a member of the group of viruses known as retroviruses.

However, methods of prevention include safe sex, needle exchange programs, treating those who are infected, and pre- & post-exposure prophylaxis. Disease in a baby can often be prevented by giving both the mother and child antiretroviral medication. There is no cure or vaccine; however, antiretroviral treatment can slow the course of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy.

Treatment is recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made. Without treatment, the average survival time after infection is 11 years. In 2018, about 37.9 million people were living with HIV and it resulted in 770,000 deaths. An estimated 20.6 million of these live in eastern and southern Africa. Between the time that AIDS was identified (in the early 1980s) and 2018, the disease caused an estimated 32 million deaths worldwide. HIV/AIDS is considered a pandemic—a disease outbreak that is present over a large area and is actively spreading.

HIV/AIDS has had a large impact on society, both as an illness and as a source of discrimination.

The disease also has large economic impacts. There are many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, such as the belief that it can be transmitted by casual non-sexual contact. Negative and discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are one of the biggest experienced challenges by people suffering from HIV, and these attitudes have been regarded as a serious threat to the fundamental rights of all infected people who are affected or associated with this disease (Masoudnia, 2015).

The disease has become subject to many controversies involving religion, including the Catholic Church’s position not to support condom use as prevention. It has attracted international medical and political attention as well as large-scale funding since it was identified in the 1980s (WHO, 2009).

1.2. Rationale

Negative and discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are one of the biggest experienced challenges faced by people suffering from HIV, and these attitudes have been regarded as a serious threat to the fundamental rights of all infected people who are affected or associated with this disease (Ebrahim, 2015).

Despite all the available methods of management and prevention techniques available, people still die of HIV/AIDS especially in less developed countries like Cameroon due to nurses’/nursing students’ perceptions and attitudes towards patients with HIV.

It is for this reason that this research was based on ways to improve the knowledge on management and prevention of the disease.

1.3. Goal

The main goal of the study is primarily for the education of nurses/nursing students on the treatment and care given to seropositive patients so as to avoid negative attitudes and perceptions on these patients thereby uprooting the stigma they face especially in less developed countries.

1.4. Objectives

1.4.1. General Objectives

The main aim of this study is to improve the nurses/nursing students’ knowledge on the treatment and care given to HIV patients

1.4.2. Specific Objectives

1. To know Nurses/Nursing students’ perception of HIV patients
2. To investigate Nurses/Nursing students attitudes towards HIV patients
3. To know the different preventive methods of the disease in order to reduce the level of stigmatization in HIV patients in the hospital Milieu.

1.4.3. Research Questions

1. What are Nurses/Nursing students’ perceptions towards HIV patients?
2. What attitude do Nurses/Nursing students have towards HIV patients?
3. Are HIV patients in the hospital milieu stigmatized?