Document 2160
 DOCN  M94A2160
 TI    Attitudes and opinions toward AIDS and sexual behaviour of hospital
       doctors and nurses in Portugal.
 DT    9412
 AU    Amaro F; Teles L; Mourao V; Bom Sucesso Foundation and International
       University, Portugal.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):368 (abstract no. PD0078). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370415
 AB    OBJECTIVE: The objective is to investigate opinions and attitudes toward
       AIDS and sexual behaviour of Hospital doctors and nurses, in Portugal
       and to understand the importance of some variables such as: prevalence
       rate of AIDS, gender and age. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire
       had been applied to doctors (n = 151) and nurses (n = 243) working at
       Hospitals in two regions of Portugal: one with the highest AIDS
       prevalence rate (City of Lisbon) and another one with the lowest AIDS
       prevalence rate (Alentejo region--Cities of Beja, Portalegre and Elvas).
       RESULTS: In both regions AIDS has been considered a serious epidemic
       problem 93.7 in Lisbon(H) and 95.1 in Alentejo(L). 18.2 of doctors and
       47.5 of nurses have considered AIDS a very serious problem in H. In L
       the percentages have been 12.2 and 46.3 respectively. In both zones the
       perception of risk infection point out IVD as the first cause of AIDS
       (82.0% in H and 75.0% in L). 46.9% in H and 41.5% in L were tested for
       HIV. In both zones drug addicts have been considered the most difficult
       group to talk to (58.4% in H and 46.1% in L). 57.3% in H and 76.8% in L
       agree with HIV screening. 60.1% in H and 61.5 in L saw homosexuality as
       deviant behaviour and 33.9 in H and 25% in L saw anal sex as a deviant
       behaviour. 74.8 in H and 69.2 in L were of the opinion that condoms must
       be used only in occasional sexual relations. 62.3% in H and 70.1 in L
       fear, very much becoming infected by HIV. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing zone H
       (high AIDS prevalence) with zone L (low AIDS prevalence), no differences
       have been found with respect to the opinion about the most difficult
       group to talk to (drug addicts), about homosexuality, anal sex, condom
       use and fear of becoming infected. The differences found between the two
       groups (zones) had to do with the perception about the seriousness of
       the epidemic (higher among nurses). It has also been found that anal sex
       has a higher degree of acceptance than homosexuality. Finally, the
       perception about causes of infection is not, in this study, supported by
       epidemiological data.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*PSYCHOLOGY  *Attitude
       of Health Personnel  Homosexuality  Human  *Medical Staff, Hospital
       *Nursing Staff, Hospital  Portugal/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Prevalence  Risk
       Factors  *Sex Behavior  Substance Abuse, Intravenous/COMPLICATIONS
       MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).