Stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers in the primary healthcare centers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are very few studies in Saudi Arabia on stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), a critical step for the prevention and control of HIV. The aim of this study was to assess the level of stigmatization and discrimination against PLWHA by healthcare workers (HCWs) as well as their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 182 HCWs at primary healthcare centers in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The validated short version of the Healthcare Provider HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale and the AIDS Attitude Scale were used in this research. Student’s t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to assess the differences in the mean knowledge, attitudes, and practices KAP scores by various sociodemographic factors. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with KAP scores. RESULTS: Most participants were males (58.2%) and aged more than 30 years (60.4%). The tendency to stigmatizing behavior was present in 24.2%–68.17% of the participants, and discriminatory practice was present in 11.5%–50% of the participants. In multiple linear regression analysis, factors that independently predicted the knowledge score were being a doctor compared to nurses (P < 0.001), receiving in-service training for PLWHA (P < 0.001), and male gender (P = 0.002). Attitude was predicted by being female (P = 0.008) and a doctor (P = 0.005). Practice was predicted by the knowledge score (P < 0.001) and being married (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: This study found that stigmatization and discrimination were less prevalent in HCWs who had good HIV-related knowledge and had received in-service training for PLWHA. The results highlight the significance of continuing education and training opportunities for HCWs to provide effective and appropriate treatment to PLWHA.

Individual and community level factors associated with discriminatory attitudes against people living with HIV/AIDS among women of reproductive age in three sub-Saharan African countries: evidence from the most recent demographic and health survey (2021/22)

“…A finding of this study revealed that the prevalence of discriminatory attitudes against people living with HIV/AIDS was 28.19% (95% CI: 27.74%, 28.64%). This finding is lower than the prior studies done in Ethiopia [ 24 , 29 ], sub-Saharan African countries [ 25 ], Zambia [ 26 ], Botswana [ 27 ], and Saudi Arabia [ 28 ]. The possible reason for this variation might be due to socio-cultural variation, study period, and sample size.…”

“…HIV-related stigma and discrimination significantly affect the health, and well-being [ 12 ], willingness to be tested for HIV [ 13 – 17 ], initiation and adherence to antiretroviral therapy [ 15 , 18 – 21 ], and quality of life [ 22 , 23 ]. The findings of the prior studies revealed that the prevalence of discrimination against people living with HIV is 62.66% in Ethiopia [ 24 ], 47.08% in sub-Saharan Africa [ 25 ], 30.3% in Zambia [ 26 ], 42% in Botswana [ 27 ], and 50% in Saudi Arabia [ 28 ]. Studies have shown that being younger age, being a rural dweller, having no formal education, have no media exposure, male-headed household, not tested for HIV, lack of comprehensive knowledge about HIV, household wealth index, marital status, internet utilization status, and community level education [ 25 , 29 , 30 ], are factors associated with discriminatory attitudes against people living with HIV/ADIS.…”

The effect of HIV on patients’ lives: a phenomenological qualitative study

“…In our study, patients with HIV expressed concerns about pursuing a career and maintaining employment. The fear of discrimination, stigmatization, and potential disclosure of their HIV status can create barriers and anxieties around finding and retaining employment (Alharbi et al, 2022 ). The finding of our study is consistent with the finding study conducted by Imani et al ( 2021 ), where they reported that discrimination against individuals living with HIV is a distressing reality that is often documented in phenomenological studies.…”

Real experience of caregivers of patients with HIV/AIDS from the perspective of iceberg theory: a qualitative research

“…Therefore, providing continuing education and training opportunities to medical staff is crucial. 64 This study presents several recommendations based on the qualitative research findings. The recommendations are analysed from multiple perspectives, including the country, healthcare system, families and individuals.…”