Abstract des Autors

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is one of the major health problems we are facing in this decade. The virus has been spreading throughout all sectors of our society and influencing our daily lives. Presently, there is no cure and no vaccine to prevent AIDS. As more people become infected with the HIV, occupational exposure of health care professionals is becoming an issue. Currently, there are no reported cases of HIV transmissions in athletic training settings, and the risk of occupational transmission appears to be very low. However, athletic trainers must prepare for this potentially serious problem. To identify the current reactions of athletic trainers, a survey was conducted of directors of NATA-approved undergraduate athletic training curricula and their student athletic trainers. The results of this survey reveal athletic trainers' fears of AIDS and the need for improvement in the establishment of policies concerning the AIDS issue in athletic training settings. Additionally, more educational opportunities, adequate protective equipment and supplies, and more administrative and organizational efforts to prevent occupational exposure to the HIV in athletic training settings are needed. On order to make the necessary improvements, athletic trainers, athletic training educators, and athletic training administrators have to make an immediate effort to deal with these needs. Verf.-Referat