Comprehensive Overview of HIV/AIDS:
State of Kentucky Mandatory Training

Introduction




As of June 30, 2012, a total of 8,513 cumulative HIV infections had been reported among Kentuckians to the Department for Public Health’s HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program since AIDS reporting started in 1982 (KCHFS, 2013). Because the diagnosis of HIV infection or AIDS was a death sentence for many years until the highly active antiretroviral medications were discovered, the HIV virus and the diseases it causes continue to be greatly feared. Significant efforts have been made by researchers, clinicians and public health workers to increase our knowledge of HIV, its diseases and effective prevention and treatment, since they were first identified in the 1980s. The massive public health effort to increase knowledge about HIV transmission and effective protective interventions certainly have helped to reduce the fear that initially gripped the US. With the introduction of the highly active antiretroviral medications, HIV has become a chronic illness rather than a death sentence for many people. The general public and healthcare workers have benefited from this collectively gained knowledge.


Photo courtesy AIDS.gov

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has a legal requirement that certain identified professionals have training related to HIV and AIDS. There are six required content areas:

I. Basic medical and epidemiological information about HIV and the diseases and conditions it can cause.

II. Methods of transmission and prevention of HIV and current recognized methods of medical treatment.

III. Management of HIV in the healthcare workplace and other working environments, consistent with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards.

IV. Legal issues surrounding HIV infection.

V. Appropriate attitudes & behaviors toward those persons infected with HIV.

VI. Comprehensive human services available to assist those with HIV infection.

The above required content is integrated throughout this course. Additional current information has also included. In addition to meeting the Kentucky state requirement for HIV/AIDS continuing education, Access Continuing Education, Inc. is an approved provider of nursing continuing education. This course is approved for 4.2 contact hours by Access Continuing Education, Inc. an approved as a provider of nursing continuing education by the Vermont State Nurses Association, who is credentialed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Continue on to HIV/AIDS: Basic Medical and Epidemiological Information