A Study of the Relationship Between Child Care Providers' Use of HIV/AIDS Information Sources, Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and Attitudes Toward Caregiving Policies
Mick Coleman; Carlos Toledo
Early Childhood Education Journal 30(2): 67-72
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 1082-3301 DOI: 10.1023/a:1021288832452Document Number: 257264
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has been a part of American society for over two decades. Today, HIV/Aids touches all demographic groups, including young children. It is for this reason that child care providers need to be informed about HIV/Aids and related policies that impact their work with young children. The purpose of this study was to examine child care providers' use of different HIV/Aids information sources in relationship to their knowledge about HIV/Aids and their response to common childhood behaviors and classroom situations involving an HIV-infected child. Results suggest that different types of information sources are associated with different aspects of providers' knowledge about and response to pediatric HIV/AIDS. Implications for the planning and delivery of HIV/Aid training involving child care providers are discussed.