Abstract

Adolescents make up the most exposed population to acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, among other aspects, because many experience their first sexual relation without protection. HIV/AIDS persists as a socially feared disease and cause of discrimination, showing a lack of knowledge on the forms of infection, generating detrimental attitudes towards those who suffer from the disease. The aim of the study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students from the Universidad de la Frontera and the Universidad Austral de Chile, in relation to HIV/AIDS. Qualitative research with anthropologic cognitive approach was executed, to study the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students of third and fourth year about the topic in focus. For data collection, the semi structured interview was used, analyzing the information by frequency distribution, and discourse analysis. Eight dimensions were identified: What is HIV/AIDS?; Ways of infection; What is related to the HIV/AIDS?; High risk practices; Prevention methods; Who are exposed to infection?; Causes of refusal of HIV/AIDS tests; and Proposal of prevention. The qualitative analysis, showed an educational deficit about the care of patients and prevention measures to the risk population. The students emphasize the need of promotion and prevention measures for the disease. In both groups, a biologicist trend was observed in: Sexual transmission, Ways of infection, What is related to the HIV/AIDS? and High risk practices. In prevention methods, a limited percentage was given to sexual education and the highest to the use of condoms