Faculty Attitudes About Caring for People Living With HIV/AIDS: A Comparative Study

Background: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) experience stigma and discrimination. Negative attitudes of nursing faculty about caring for PLHIV can adversely affect student perceptions and their nursing care. The study purpose was to describe nursing faculty attitudes and beliefs about caring for PLHIV. Method: The HPASS (Healthcare Provider HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale), Spanish version, was delivered to nursing faculty in Colombia and Peru. Results: The HPASS was completed by 98 nursing faculty. The overall mean score was 2.41 (SD = 0.69), with subscale scores: stereotypes, 2.55 (SD = 0.84); discrimination, 2.28 (SD = 0.74); and prejudices, 2.41 (SD = 0.63). Peruvian faculty had the highest scores, statistically correlated with the importance of religion, whereas Colombia had the lowest. Conclusion: Nursing faculty attitudes toward PLHIV were slightly positive in Colombia to slightly negative in Peru; however, both countries had negative stereotypes. Knowledge deficiencies about HIV persist and attitudes appear to be influenced by culture and religion.