Effect of peer education model on nursing students' knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS

Objectives: This research is an intervention study designed as a single group pre-test post-test model without control group in order to examine the effect of education provided to nursing students based on peer education model on HIV/AIDS knowledge level and attitude. Design, methods, settings and participants: The research was carried out at Nursing Department of Ankara Y?ld?r?m Beyaz?t University. Sample of the study consisted of second year nursing students who agreed to participate in the study and enrolled Internal Medicine Nursing course for the first time (n = 88). In the first stage of the study, nine peer mentors were selected and a total of 12 h of training were given to them by the researchers. In the second stage, peer mentors provided a total of 12 h of training to nine peer students groups. All groups were created by simple randomization on the ?research randomizer? website. Demographics questionnaire, AIDS knowledge scale and AIDS attitude scale were used to collect the data. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square test, paired sample t-Test, Wilcoxon test and Spearman correlation test. Results: It was determined that peer education provided a statistically significant increase in AIDS knowledge scale score in peer students (pretest x=10.32 ? 3.59, posttest x=19.69 ? 1.51) (p < 0.001). In addition, peer education was found to provide a statistically significant increase in AIDS attitude scale score in peer students (pretest x=56.64 ? 8.36, posttest x=72.95 ? 7.02) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: It has been determined that peer education method is an effective method in increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS in nursing students. Therefore, it is recommended to include peer education model in nursing educations regarding HIV/AIDS.