Nurses perspective regarding disclosure of human immune virus status in the workplace, Limpopo province

Abstract

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status disclosure is a critical component of HIV prevention and treatment efforts. Objectives: This study seeks to determine and describe the level of exposure to HIV and disclosure of HIV status among nurses in a regional hospital in Limpopo province. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among all cadres of nurses and stratified sampling was used. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from nurses. The IBM Statistical Social Packages Sciences (SPSS) statistics version 21 was used for data analysis. Tables were mostly used to present the results given the descriptive nature of the study. Results: Study was conducted among 233 nurses with about 88% concerned about contracting HIV at work. Majority (59.6%) had been exposed to HIV at work in the last 12months (45% in 136). About 9% reported that they wouldn’t tell anyone at work, 40.8% would not tell their supervisors and 12% would tell a family member if they thought they were HIV positive. Most participants (55.4%) preferred to work with HIV patients. Conclusions: A holistic approach must be encouraged through continuous HIV education programmes in health facilities to facilitate awareness of disclosure and its impact in the quality health care service.