Abstract:

This study was conducted to identify the knowledge and attitudes of Nursing students about HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Tool and Method: This research, which is in the characteristic type, was conducted between March-April 2015. During the survey application, 351 students (80.1%) who were in the classroom and accepted to participate in the research formed the research universe. The data of the research was collected through the survey form prepared by scanning literature. The survey form includes the socio-demographic characteristics of the students, HIV/AIDS information level questions consisting of 23 subjects and attitude expressions against AIDS consisting of 9 subjects. Percentage and number in identifying data, statistical analysis used Mann-whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests. Results: The average age of the participants was 21.17±2.24 and 71.8% were girls. 18,5% of students are first-class students. 65% of students that they should stay away from those who know they are AIDS and 17.9% of AIDS patients should be kept away from the community. Moreover, 83.2% of students believe they are at a professional risk of AIDS. A statistically significant difference has been found between the age group of students, the class they are and the HIV/AIDS information level score average (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference has been found between the student's distance from the person who knows that he is AIDS, the test request for the married couples before marriage and the HIV/AIDS information level score average (p<0.05). Students who say "I'm away from the person I know I'm AIDS" have a lower level of information, while those who say they should be tested before marriage have a higher level of information than others. Result: As a result, students of the future health care staff have lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, behavior errors and behavior errors. Keywords: HIV; AIDS; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Knowledge; Attitude; Nursing Students. ABSTRACT Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students of Ahi Evran University, School of Health Sciences about HIV/AIDS. Material and Methods: The study sample of this descriptive research consisted of students who were present in the class between March - April 2015 and accepted to participate (n=351) is participation rate was 80, 1%. The data was collected with a survey form which was prepared according to literature. The survey contains students' sociodemographic features, 23-item HIV/AIDS knowledge level questions and 9-item attitude statements toward AIDS. Descriptive analyses were presented by number, percentage and means, and comparisons were shown using Mann-whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used. Results: Mean age of students was 21.17±2.24. 71.8% of them were female, and 18.5% of them were first year students. 83.2% of the students said they think they are at risk of AIDS because of their profession. There was a statistically significant difference between the students' age group and class with their AIDS knowledge score (p<0.05). There was a statistically meaningful difference between HIV/AIDS knowledge levels and “refraining from people known to have AIDS” and “suggesting screening tests for couples getting married” (p<0.05). While knowledge level of students stating that they would stay away from people who have AIDS was lower, students who recommended screening tests before marriage had a higher knowledge level. Conclusion: Students who will be a part of the health system in the future lack knowledge about HIV/AIDS and show incorrect attitudes and behaviors. Keywords: HIV; AIDS; Sexually transmitted diseases; Knowledge; Attitude; Nursing students.