Therapeutic Recreation Professionals' Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of AIDS

Authors

  • Cherie Glenn
  • John Dattilo

Keywords:

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Attitudes, Attitudinal Barriers, Knowledge, Therapeutic Recreation

Abstract

Therapeutic recreation professionals' attitudes toward and knowledge ofpeople with AIDS were examined in this study. A modified version ofthe Atchinson, Beard, and Lester (1990) AIDS questionnaire was used to determine the relationship between therapeutic recreation professionals' attitudes and knowledge of AIDS. In addition, the relationship of the therapeutic recreation professionals' demographic characteristics (e.g., gender, education level, attendance at conferences/inservices, sources ofinformation, social acquaintance with people with AIDS, and knowingly caring for a person with AIDS) to their knowledge and attitudes was examined. No significant relationship between knowledge about AIDS and attitudes toward persons with AIDS was found. However, a significantly positive relationship between professionals attending conferences or inservices and using health journals or pamphlets on AIDS was found in relationship to their knowledge of AIDS. Finally, professionals who reported that they knowingly cared for people with AIDS expressed a more positive attitude toward people with AIDS than those professionals who did not.

Issue

Section

Special Issue