HIV AIDS-RELATED ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF HOSPITAL-BASED HEALTH-WORKERS IN KAMPALA, UGANDA/

Objective: To assess HIV/AIDS-related attitudes and practices of hospi tal-based health workers in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectiona l study was conducted in Mulago Hospital, the main national referral h ospital in Uganda. A total of 155 physicians and nurses completed a br ief questionnaire on HIV risk perception, attitudes and practices rega rding AIDS prevention education, HIV counseling and testing and care o f patients with HIV disease. Results: Twenty-nine per cent of health w orkers reported never having discussed AIDS prevention with patients, 26% had never referred patients for HIV counseling and 31% had never a dvised patients suspected of HIV infection to be tested. Frequent expl anations for not providing AIDS prevention education included time con straints and/or lack of related knowledge or skills. While 29% perceiv ed recapping needles as involving no risk, activities involving casual contact with patients and condom use for protection against HIV infec tion were associated with a high perceived risk of HIV transmission, p articularly among nurses. Physicians and nurses differed in their HIV/ AIDS-related attitudes and practices. The physicians had a more positi ve attitude towards the care of patients with HIV disease. In addition , 80% of physicians compared to 59% of nurses referred patients for HI V counseling. A similar trend was found for advising patients to obtai n HIV testing. Conclusions: Hospital-based health workers are missing important opportunities for AIDS prevention education with their patie nts. There are gaps in their knowledge about HIV and related infection control practices. Interventions should address their concerns and ba rriers to HIV prevention practices.