Abstract

Information education and communication (IEC) programs are the most effective available approaches for combating the HIV pandemic especially among nurses. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS before and after an IEC intervention program. The study used a prospective interventional design that was conducted on two different nursing groups: post-graduate nursing staff (67 nurses) and undergraduate nursing students (73 students). A significant improvement in the general knowledge and perceptions score was observed (from 7.29 ± 1.2 to 8.01 ± 1.5 with P <0.001). The intervention also succeeded to improve the mode of transmission knowledge score significantly from 6.83 ± 0.9 to 7.21 ±  0.8 (P <0.001). Furthermore, the intervention significantly improved the prevention knowledge score. The main source of information was television (66.7%). Although favorable attitudes increased after the intervention it did not reach the desired level. A planned HIV/AIDS education program significantly improved the HIV/AIDS knowledge, and to a lesser extent the perceptions and attitudes toward patients with HIV/AIDS. Further structured education should be conducted emphasising the role of mass media.

Key words: HIV/AIDS, knowledge, perceptions and attitudes, health education intervention.