Knowledge and Attitudes toward HIV/AIDS Among Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Students

물리치료사와 물리치료과 학생의 HIV/AIDS에 대한 지식과 태도

The aim of this descriptive study was to investigate the general knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among physical therapists and physical therapy students. Many physical therapists are afraid of AIDS patients bacause they have a little information of AIDS and fear of HIV infection from AIDS patients at work site. The study surveyed by means of a self-administered questionnaire consisted of 271 physical therapists and 378 physical therapy students. This study was carried out from April, 2003 to October, 2003 for collecting data. The findings of this study can be summarized as follows. 1) The physical therapist and physical therapy students were conscious of need for physical therapeutic intervention for complication of HIV/AIDS. 2) The physical therapist and physical therapy students were conscious of need for educational program about HIV/AIDS. 3) The knowledge of transmission mode in sexual intercourse of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists to patients with HIV/AIDS. 4) The knowledge of prevention of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists to patients with HIV/AIDS. 5) The knowledge of regarding symptom of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists to patients with HIV/AIDS. 6) The knowledge of general transmission mode of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists and physical therapy students to patients with HIV/AIDS. 7) The knowledge of transmission risk factors in work site of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists and physical therapy students to patients with HIV/AIDS. 8) The knowledge of needs for prevention in work site of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists to patients with HIV/AIDS. In conclusion, physical therapists and physical therapy students with more knowledge of HIV/AIDS could positively treat HIV/AIDS patients.