Table 1 Percentages of nursing students’ knowledge of HIV/AIDS ( main selected issues )

AIDS is a disease that attacks the human immune system (n = 102).

96

2

2

There is no cure for AIDS (n = 100).

50

28

22

Individuals at high risk for contracting HIV include intravenous drug abusers, those who practice unprotected sex and prostitutes (n = 102).

98

0

2

ARC is a stage of the disease caused by HIV where the HIV antibody test is positive and the person displays specific symptoms related to the stage (n = 100).

86

1

13

T-lymphocytes decrease when a person has AIDS (n = 102).

82

1

17

AIDS is a lethal disease (n = 101).

85

9

6

Symptoms of HIV occur within six months following infection with HIV (n = 102)

71

5

25

People could get infected by sharing needles with a HIV positive intravenous drug user (n = 102).

95

3

2

The risk of contracting HIV increases as the number of one’s sexual partners increases (n = 101).

84

8

8

Individuals can infect others with HIV without being ill themselves (n = 102).

85

6

9

Infections (opportunistic) are common complications of AIDS (n = 101).

46

7

48

Kaposi sarcoma is the most common form of cancer among homosexual men (n = 101).

45

13

43

HIV wasting syndrome is one of the causes of death among people with AIDS in developing countries (n = 100).

37

19

44

AIDS is rather thought of as a disease related to sexual risk behavior than as one related to sexual preferences (n = 101).

83

4

13

HIV can be transmitted by blood and blood products (n = 101).

96

2

2

Sexual transmission of HIV can occur in both homosexuals and heterosexual relationships (n = 101).

93

1

6

Consistent use of condoms may reduce transmission of HIV (n = 101).

86

2

12

The need for isolation required for patients hospitalized with HIV or AIDS depends on the specific infection present (n = 101).

65

10

25

Blood precautions should be used for individuals hospitalized for treatment of HIV or AIDS (n = 101).

98

0

2

Eye protection should be worn by all individuals in situations where blood and body fluids can be splashed into the eyes of others (n = 101).

93

3

4