Learning needs and preferred learning methods about AIDS/HIV among registered nurses working in the community

The purpose of this study was to describe learning needs and preferred learning methods regarding AIDS/HIV among registered nurses working in the community in Texas. This study examined a convenience sample of 2,918 registered nurses working in the community randomly selected from a list provided by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire designed to measure learning needs and preferred learning methods regarding AIDS/HIV patients. Demographic data and research question 1 were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Educational topics were scaled in a Likert fashion. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine significant differences among teaching/learning methods for research question 2. The significance level (p<. .05) was established as the guideline for identifying statistically significant results. Also, Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used as the multiple comparisions method which showed that all four methods (hands-on, didactic, seminar, self-paced) of teaching/learning were significantly different from each other. Responses to the survey confirmed that the most important interest and expertise areas regarding primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention were universal precautions, protection from infectious diseases, and occupational hazards for health care providers, respectively. The statistical analysis showed that all the teaching methods were significantly different from each other. Hands-on method was necessary for topics such as clinical manifestations, long-term care, testing and counseling. Also, selfpaced was the least preferred method among nurses.