U.S. Nurse Practitioner Beliefs About Routine HIV Screening

Predicting Behaviors

Abstract

HIV is a preventable infection. Effective HIV prevention interventions, which include routine HIV screening, have reduced HIV transmission. As health care providers, nurse practitioners (NPs) have a role in screening for HIV. In this study, we explored NP attitudinal, social normative (expectation and priority), and behavioral control (perceived barriers and facilitators) beliefs that predicted their self-reported HIV screening behaviors. The Theory of Planned Behavior guided the study. Data from 141 NPs were collected through a cross-sectional, paper and pencil survey. Findings revealed that the belief that “my office staff supports routine HIV screening with my patients” predicted HIV screening, whereas the belief that “consent from a parent/guardian should be obtained before screening for HIV in a person younger than 18 years” predicted less HIV screening. Nurse practitioners identified social normative expectations to be most influential in predicting their routine HIV screening behaviors.