NCJ Number
126922
Date Published
Unknown
Length
35 pages
Annotation
A survey of law enforcement officers in Durham, N.C. sought to determine how their knowledge of AIDS and risk of occupational exposure related to their fears, attitudes, and work performance.
Abstract
The 67-item questionnaire was completed by 68 of the 136 sworn personnel and non-sworn jail detention officers in the Durham Sheriff's Department. Most respondents were male and white and ranged in age from 21 to 61. They had worked for the department for an average of 6.2 years. Findings showed that greater knowledge of AIDS was associated with less fear, more tolerant attitudes toward AIDS and its victims, and a lower probability that work performance would change negatively based on fears. However, the risk of occupational exposure was not related to officers' answers, indicating that individual attitudes and personal prejudices are deeply entrenched and cannot be removed simply by interacting with people with AIDS or in risk groups more frequently. Results indicated the desirability of increasing AIDS education and providing officers with safety equipment like rubber gloves. Tables, attached study instrument, and 23 references.