Attitude of Health-Care Workers to HIV / AIDS

Abstract

The current 5% prevalence rate of HIV in Nigeria represents a significant population of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Discrimination against PLWHA has profound impact on the care and support required for their optimal management particularly in resource-constrained settings. The study sought to assess the knowledge of health-care providers about HIV/AIDS, determine the potential for discrimination in the provision of services based on patients' HIV sero-status and review the factors that may contribute to such attitude. Self-administered semi-structured questionnaires were administered to respondents who were selected by multi-stage sampling technique. The questionnaires explored the respondents' knowledge about HIV and their attitude and practice regarding PLWHA. Three hundred and forty-five questionnaires were completed. Only 77.1% correctly identified breastfeeding as a source of HIV transmission; 5.2%and 2.6% respectively thought transmission was possible through mosquito bite and handshake. About 10% and 15% respectively among trained nurses and auxiliary nurses were unaware that HIV could be transmitted to the child during delivery. Some 13.9% and 12.7% of respondents respectively were unwilling to take vital signs and carry out physical examination on PLWHA. Compared to physicians, trained nurses and auxiliary nurses were more likely to deny services based on HIV sero-status. Negative attitude was more likely if the source of the HIV infection was from homosexual exposure or bisexual indiscretion. The health-care workers studied manifested certain attitudes that are potentially discriminatory of PLWHA. Well-coordinated continuing education of HIV/AIDS for all categories of health-care workers is recommended as a vital strategy in the crusade against the epidemic.

Patient and Provider Perspectives on HIV and HIV-Related Stigma in Dutch Health Care Settings

“…22,47,68,80,81 Possessing basic and health care sector specific knowledge about HIV and having an understanding of PLWH's rights can contribute to more positive interactions between PLWH and health care providers and better quality care, 38,58 but information provision alone is insufficient as knowledge does not automatically change attitudes. 16,21,37,64,82 It does, however, form the basis upon which informed attitudes are developed and is, therefore, central to positive changes in attitudes and behaviour. 16,77 Consequently, we consider the provision of information to be an important first but certainly not final step in creating and maintaining positive experiences for PLWH in health care.…”

“…21,33,68,91,93,94 Interventionists may consider incorporating opportunities for self-reflection on stigmatized behaviors frequently associated with HIV such as homosexuality, commercial sex work, and drug use as addressing layered stigmas, if present, may yield even greater changes in negative attitudes. 16,[95][96][97][98] Before interpersonal level interventions geared to PLWH and health care providers can be implemented, it is imperative that supportive structural conditions for the equal treatment of PLWH in the health care settings are in place.…”

“…14,15 Previous research has documented stigmatizing beliefs and attitudes on the part of health care providers [16][17][18][19] and a lack of willingness to interact with, or care for, PLWH in hypothetical situations. 18,[20][21][22] Additionally, actual discriminatory practices have been documented. These range from subtle to blatant and include awkward social interactions, increased physical distance, avoidance, unnecessary referrals to other health care providers, neglect, the discouragement of treatment regimens, contempt, testing without consent, blaming, excessive protective measures, the labeling of charts, beds, and/or rooms, breaches of confidentiality, refusal to treat, isolation in wards, and verbal abuse.…”

Medical Discrimination Affects the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control: A Study of Self-Perceived Medical Discrimination on People Living with HIV or AIDS

“…HIV/AIDSrelated discrimination occurs everywhere, but PLWHA may have more serious consequences in healthcare settings (Ahsan Ullah 2011). According to previous findings, HIV/ AIDS-related discrimination has been extensively documented among healthcare providers, and an average level of discriminatory attitudes exists among health care workers in many studies (Sadob et al 2006;Hossain and Kippax 2010).…”

Patterns of Discriminatory Practices of Health-Care Providers towards People Living HIV/AIDS in Osun State, Nigeria.

“…These can include the perception that they are not at risk of the disease for those who do not know their HIV status. And for PLHA, they can include internalized stigma, lowered self-esteem, depression, and changes in behavior (e.g; not using the available services) because of the fear of stigma (8,9). It was indicated that higher perceived HIV stigma scores amongs clients with HIV were significantly and negatively correlated with the quality of life (10).…”