Changes in the profissional practice of nurses of a teaching hospital in inner São Paulo State as aresult of the arrival of HIV/AIDS

Abstract

This investigation was conducted with the purpose of identifying the changes in the professional practice of nurses at a public teaching hospital as a result of the arrival of HIV/AIDS. Through interviews with 100 nurses it was found that 76 (76%) referred changes in their professional practice. Of these, 52 (68.4%) referred to the use of garments; 17 (22.3%) to continuing education; and 7 (9.2%) to nursing care. Of a total of 76 reasons presented by the nurses, 46 (60.5%) were related to fear of becoming infected; and 30 (39.5%) related to nursing care. The study revealed that the advent of HIV/AIDS has risen various changes in practical activities of nurses, especially in those related to garments, having as the main concern the fear of becoming infected. Continuing education programs that aim not only to identify the causes that determine low adherence to standard precaution measures and undesirable behavior as well as biosafety surveillance are needed.