Abstract

Background

Globally, 36.9 million people are living with HIV (according to latest data available in 2017) of which 1.5 million are children below 15 years of age^[1]. About 9.4 million people did not even know that they were living with HIV ^[1]. Out of 36.9 million, only 21.7 million (59%) people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral therapy ^[1]. 65% of female adults aged 15 years and older had access to treatment and 53% of male adults aged 15 years and older had access to ART^[1]. In 2017, 80% of pregnant women living with HIV had access to antiretroviral medicines to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies ^[1]. Globally since 2010, new HIV infections have declined by an estimated 16%, from 1.9 million to 1.6 million in 2017^[1]. Since 2010, new HIV infections among children have declined by 35%, from 270 000  in 2010 to 180 000 in 2017 ^[1].In India 2.1 million people are living with HIV and only 56% are accessing ART^[1]. India has shown remarkable progress in reducing new cases of HIV and incidence of new cases have reduced by 27% since 2010^[1]. Given the large burden of disease in a resource limited country like India, in depth knowledge and caring attitude towards HIV infected individuals among nursing professionals is of great importance to reduce morbidity of those infected and to help reduce transmission of disease in community.

Objective

1) Knowledge about HIV and attitude towards HIV infected individuals among nursing professionals working in Sagar town, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 30 nursing professionals, using a predesigned, self administered questionnaire on awareness about transmission, prevention and treatment of HIV infection. Questions to assess attitude of nursing professionals towards care and management of HIV infected individuals were also included.