Self-Efficacy, HIV Knowledge, AIDS Attitude, and Optimistic Bias toward HIV/AIDS Among Nursing Students

This study investigated the association of self-efficacy, HIV knowledge, AIDS attitude, and optimistic bias toward HIV/AIDS among nursing student. Structured questionnaires were administered to 210 nursing students from universities in South Korea. The mean selfefficacy score was 2.84 (out of 4), and mean HIV knowledge was 14.11 (out of 18). Regarding AIDS attitude, the mean avoidant attitude score was 3.36 (out of 6), while mean empathetic attitude was 4.31 (out of 6). Meanwhile, the optimistic bias score was 2.22 (ranging from 1 to 7). Based on analysis of the relationships between variables, the avoidant attitude was negatively correlated with knowledge (r=-0.207, p=0.003) and empathetic attitude was positively correlated with self-efficacy (r=0.187, p=0.008). Avoidant and empathetic attitudes were negatively correlated with each other (r=-0.206, p=0.003). Regarding the difference among knowledge, attitude, and optimistic bias according to selfefficacy score group, the group with self-efficacy scores in the upper quartile had higher empathetic attitudes than that with scores in the lower quartile (t=-2.455, p=0.016). It is necessary to develop educational intervention programs on increasing self-efficacy focused on HIV/AIDS to help nursing students adopt positive attitudes toward AIDS.