[Attitude of french speaking nurses towards AIDS]. / Attitudes d'infirmières francophones face au SIDA.

This study describes the beliefs, the attitudes and the intentions to act toward persons infected with AIDS, of a group of nurses of the greater Montreal area (n = 427). A questionnaire (71 items) was mailed to 1000 randomly selected Montreal nurses and was completed by 427 of them. The majority of these nurses were female (82.5%) and did not possess a university diploma (64.8%). Most of them had at least 15 years of experience and more than half of them had already taken care of a patient with AIDS. It was found that the nurses' knowledge of AIDS was limited: they do not understand the signification of seropositivity and they had little knowledge of the epidemiological dimensions of the illness. The younger nurses tend to adopt the prejudices and beliefs already endorsed by society: isolation, obligatory testing and homophobia. A factor analysis of the beliefs, attitudes and intent to act sub-scales permits the identification of nine factors (fears, prejudices, emotional support, mistrust, avoidance, quality of care, false security, AIDS equals sex and more experience equals less fear). These factors tend to be associated with certain sociodemographic characteristics. The nurses who are less knowledgeable, who are most prejudiced, and who least intend to care for the client with AIDS are: 1) the younger nurses (21-34 years old); 2) those who see the media as their primary source of information and 3) those who have never cared for seropositive clients. This study allows us to render judgement on the values of a specific group of francophone nurses within a fixed time-place framework.

[Psychosocial aspects of certain fundamental needs of families with a child with HIV infection]. / Dimensions psychosociales de certains besoins fondamentaux de familles aux prises avec l'infection VIH.

The presence of a family of a young child with AIDS, with the exception of a small number of transfusion-infected children, implies almost necessarily the presence of infected adults, usually the mother. The problem in such a situation is not that of a child with a fatal illness but that of an entire family. Our study included a sample of thirty natural caregivers. These were mostly mothers but others responsible for the care of a seropositive child, such as fathers, aunts and grandmothers, were also included. The aim of the project was to describe their perceptions of their own psychosocial needs. Our results reveal that these caregivers are economically disadvantaged. They do not know how to cope with stress and their life situation. They are not ready to confide in others because of the social stigma associated with this illness. Thus they participate unwittingly in the conspiracy of shame which denies them the aid which might help meet their needs. However, they do see the need to learn how to protect themselves and other members of the family against both HIV and other infections and to know the course and the treatments associated with this disease.

Psychosocial needs expressed by the natural caregivers of HIV infected children.

The presence in a family of a young child with AIDS, with the exception of a small number of transfusion-infected children, implies almost necessarily the presence of an infected adult, usually the mother. The problem in such a situation is not that of a child with a fatal illness but that of an entire family. Our study included a sample of thirty natural caregivers. These were mostly mothers but others responsible for the care of a seropositive child, such as fathers, aunts and grandmothers, were also included. The aim of the project was to describe their perceptions of their own psycho-social needs. Our results reveal that these caregivers are economically disadvantaged. They need help in coping with stress and their life situation. Their need to confide in others is frequently not met. However, the need to learn how to protect themselves and other members of the family against both HIV and other infections and to know the course and the treatments associated with this disease are seen by them, both as being very important and as being well met, particularly by the health professionals who care for them.

[Biopsychosocial repercussions of AIDS and leads in intervention and research.]. / Répercussions biopsychosociales du Sida et pistes d'intervention et de recherche.

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a world wide health problem of exceptional magnitude with considerable effect in many areas : individual, social, economic, demographic and cultural. Current literature clearly indicates the emotional impact of the losses occasionnée by those suffering from this fatal disease. There include strong anxiety, fear, anger powerlessness and hopelessness. To this psychological distress is added isolation of AIDS victims. The negative reaction of society contributes to discrimination and stigmatization of these victims. AIDS may be seen as a personnal tragedy which often spells the collapse of family life. The psychosocial repercussions of this disease require intervention and further research with respect to the many unresolved problems generated by this syndrome.