Rural nurses' use of universal precautions in relation to perceived knowledge of patient's HIV status

The increased incidence of AIDS in rural areas of the United States has called attention to the practice of universal precautions by rural nurses. The purpose of this research was to determine protective barrier use by 555 nurses living in rural counties in Pennsylvania and New York State and the effect on this use of their knowledge of their patients' HIV status. Findings suggest that nurses increased their use of protection if they knew their patients were HIV-positive. However, if they thought that their patients were HIV-negative or if they did not know their patients' HIV status, they did not always use adequate protection. Findings are discussed as they relate to the context of rural nursing practice.