Perception of Clinical Students on the Care of HIV Positive Patients: A Study of Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Background: Perception of (Nursing, Medicine and Medical Laboratory) Students on the care of HIV positive patient is a concern for nurse educators and staffs in facilities where students are posted to and it has the potential to greatly influence the quality of patient care and thus the overall image of the profession and even health workers, thus this is a study on the perception of students on the care of HIV positive patients in Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to show the importance of student’s perception and care for HIV positive patients which will either lead to facilitating the healing of the HIV positive patient. As promulgated by the American Journal of health promotion since 1986. Therefore, it is essential that health workers, including students in training who are agents of health promotion to patients including HIV positive patients have a role to play in facilitating the healing process of HIV positive patients and at such should be well informed about the disease and measures of caring for patients with the disease. Hence the need for this study. Methodology: the study utilized questionnaire of 21 questions which is sectioned into four (i.e. A-D) with section A consisting of 6 questions, section B, 9 question, section C, 3 questions and section D, 5 questions. These questions was distributed to 120 respondents comprising of nursing, medicine and medical Laboratory students doing their posting at Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Data were collected and analysed using tables with a simple calculation of frequencies and percentages. Results: The results from the study revealed that student nurses, medicine students and medical laboratory students have a variety of perception about HIV and AIDS problem. Majority of the students stigmatize AIDS patients as they felt uncomfortable and afraid when caring for patients with HIV/AIDS. They fear infection through accidental pricks. Conclusion: Hospitals should also provide adequate protection for students and staff so that students do not fear handling HIV and AIDS patients. There is need for continuous and particularly HIV and AIDS awareness programs to inculcate in them the importance of taking precautionary measures to avoid been infected with the virus. Keywords: Clinical students, HIV/AID, FMC, Questionnaire, perception.