AIDS threatens to spread rapidly in Mexico. In the present study, results of a survey of 204 Mexican employees in hospitals and doctors' offices indicated that those health-care workers were largely knowledgeable about the illness. A majority were willing to provide AIDS care, although they feared contagion. Multiple regression analyses indicated that (a) attitudes toward high-risk groups (intravenous drug users and homosexuals) and (b) fear of contagion were both related to intentions to provide care to AIDS patients.
PIP: A survey conducted in Ciudad Juarez, in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, investigated health care workers' (HCWs) AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to provide care to AIDS patients. Questioned were 171 HCWs employed in a public charity hospital and 33 from private physicians' offices. 24% of respondents were nurses and 22% were doctors; mean age was 28 years. On average, respondents answered 82% of the AIDS-related knowledge items correctly and 76% felt their education had prepared them to treat AIDS patients. Despite widespread awareness of the modes of HIV transmission and the universal precautions, 87% expressed concern about becoming infected with HIV through patient care. 81% indicated they were willing to treat AIDS patients. Most HCWs had positive (19%) or neutral (53%) attitudes toward homosexuals, but 44% expressed negative attitudes toward intravenous drug users. Multiple regression analysis found that attitude toward high-risk groups and fear of contagion, but not knowledge, were related to behavioral intention to provide AIDS care. This finding is consistent with research indicating that knowledge-based programs that fail to address the affective component of AIDS care are insufficient for changing AIDS care intentions and behaviors. Overall, AIDS patients in the border areas of Mexico, appear to be receiving more effective treatment than those in parts of the country with lower AIDS prevalence. Reports from the latter areas allege incidents of refusal to provide medical care to AIDS patients or the provision of substandard care.