Farzin Khorvash - Assistant Professor, Nosocomial Infection Research Center, Department of Infectious Disease, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
Soheila Mohamadirizi - Master of Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Behrouz Ataiee - ۳ Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Department of Infectious Disease, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Science , Isfahan, Iran
Nafiseh Khayamim - MSC in Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Background & aim: Knowledge and attitude of the nurses and midwives towards HIV/AIDS patients could affect the quality of care provision. Thus, this study aimed to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and tendency of nurses and midwives towards caring for HIV/AIDS patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 303 nurses and midwives at healthcare centers, affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, using stratified sampling in 2013. All participants completed a four-section questionnaire including demographic data, knowledge about HIV/AIDS, attitude towards HIV/AIDS, and tendency to care for HIV/AIDS patients. For data analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were performed, using SPSS version 16. Results: As to the findings, 57% of the participants had insufficient knowledge, 98% had negative attitudes, and 86% had a moderate tendency to care for HIV/AIDS patients. A negative correlation was seen between HIV knowledge and attitude towards HIV patients (P=0.042, r=-0.58). Also a significant relationship was observed between attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and tendency to provide care for these patients (P=0.011, r=0.78). Conclusion: As the knowledge, attitude, and tendency to care for HIV/AIDS patients were not desirable among nurses and midwives, it is recommended that comprehensive courses be organized in order to change caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and tendencies towards care provision for HIV/AIDS patients.

Attitude, Knowledge, Midwife, nurse, Tendency to care