Survey Questionnaire
The 104-item health-care professional survey included
questions on respondent demographics; practices regarding
informed consent, testing, and disclosure; treatment and care
of patients with HIV/AIDS; and attitudes and beliefs about
treatment and care of patients with HIV/AIDS including
informed consent, testing, and disclosure.
Treatment and care practices of patients with HIV/AIDS
were assessed using Likert-type scales (e.g., the possible
answers were ‘‘always,’’ ‘‘most of the time,’’ ‘‘sometimes,’’
‘‘rarely,’’ and ‘‘never’’). Attitudes and beliefs were assessed by
a response of ‘‘agree’’ or ‘‘disagree’’ with statements regarding
testing, treatment, and care of patients with HIV/AIDS.
Using a separate 103-item survey instrument, we obtained
information about each facility’s capacity, resources, and
policies from the person in charge of the facility. The
questionnaires were written and interviews conducted in
English. Seven regional, human rights, and medical experts
reviewed the questionnaires for content validity. The instruments
were pilot tested among 20 participants in Lagos and
suggestions regarding clarity and cultural appropriateness
were incorporated.
Interviewers
After completing an intensive training program, 24 Nigerian
surveyors conducted the survey interviews. Interviewer
training consisted of 5 d of classroom teaching and roleplaying
followed by several days of field observation and
ongoing supervision by PHR and Nigerian researchers.
All interviews were conducted over 5 wk in October and
November 2002. Interviews lasted approximately 20–30 min
and were conducted in the most private setting possible
within each health-care facility. All questionnaires were
reviewed for completeness and for correctness of recording
after the interview by the interviewers themselves, by the
Nigerian research team leaders, and by PHR field supervisors
at the end of each day.