Difference of Knowledge and Attitudes toward HIV/AIDS between Genders of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Students

물리치료사와 물리치료과 학생의 성별에 따른 HIV/AIDS 에 대한 지식과 태도

The purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate the general knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among gender in physical therapists and physical therapy students. AIDS a clinical syndrome that involves progressive immune deficiency and consequent development of opportunistic infection, tumors, neurologic disease and systemic wasting with chronic trends. Many medical specialists are afraid of AIDS patients because they have a little information of AIDS and fear of HIV infection from AIDS patients at work site. This study surveyed 649 physical therapists and physical therapy students by means of a self-administered questionnaire. 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 male and female physical therapist and physical therapy students who have an experience of educational program for HIV/AIDS show higher general knowledge about HIV/AIDS. 2) The male physical therapist and physical therapy students were conscious of the need for physical therapeutic intervention for the complication of HIV/AIDS. 3) The male who has higher general knowledge about HIV/AIDS are conscious of the need for educational program about HIV/AIDS. 4) The male and female want to have the choice to accept or reject the HIV/AIDS patients for treatment. 5) The knowledge of transmission mode in sexual intercourse of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of male and female to patients with HIV/AIDS. 6) The knowledge of prevention of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of male and female to patients with HIV/AIDS. 7) The knowledge of regarding symptom of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of female to patients with HIV/AIDS. 8) The knowledge of general transmission mode of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of male and female to patients with HIV/AIDS. 9) The knowledge of transmission risk factors in work site of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of male and female to patients with HIV/AIDS. 10) The knowledge of needs for prevention in work site of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of male and female to patients with HIV/AIDS. In conclusion, male and female with more knowledge of HIV/AIDS could positively treat HIV/AIDS patients.