Attitudes of baccalaureate nursing students toward persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome according to mode of human immunodeficiency virus transmission.

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to (1) examine differences in baccalaureate nursing students' attitudes toward persons living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWAs) according to mode of transmission and (2) identify demographic and academic variables influencing baccalaureate nursing students' attitudes toward PLWAs. Two hundred forty-six students from five geographically dispersed baccalaureate programs returned a completed demographic data sheet, AIDS Knowledge Scale, and AIDS Attitude Scale. The AIDS Attitude Scale, based on Goffman's theory of stigma, assesses stigmatizing attitudes, perceptions of deservedness of care, and attitudes of respect and regard for PLWAs according to five modes of human immunodeficiency virus transmission.