Ziad A Memish1, Sana M Filemban, Afolabi Bamgboyel, Rafaat F Al Hakeem, Sayedgotb M Elrashied, Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq. 1. *Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; †Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; ‡Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and §Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Reports showed that Saudi Arabia has low prevalence of HIV/AIDS despite increasing influx of foreign nationals from countries with high risk of HIV. Knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes of health care workers contribute to difficulties of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) accessing prevention, care, and treatment services. Nothing is known about stigma and discrimination about PLWHA in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: We assessed knowledge of Saudi Arabian doctors about HIV and their attitudes toward PLWHA using a cross-sectional study design. METHOD: In this study, 1483 doctors completed a self-administered questionnaire. RESULT: Knowledge scores and stigma index were computed from responses to relevant statements in the questionnaire. Stigmatizing attitudes of contact, reproductive rights, blaming, and judgmental were identified. HIV knowledge was a significant predictor of high stigma. Doctors' year of medical practice, status/specialty, and location of practice in Saudi Arabia were major predictors of HIV knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of poor knowledge of HIV suggests the need for further training of health workers on HIV transmission mode.
OBJECTIVES: Reports showed that Saudi Arabia has low prevalence of HIV/AIDS despite increasing influx of foreign nationals from countries with high risk of HIV. Knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes of health care workers contribute to difficulties of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) accessing prevention, care, and treatment services. Nothing is known about stigma and discrimination about PLWHA in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: We assessed knowledge of Saudi Arabian doctors about HIV and their attitudes toward PLWHA using a cross-sectional study design. METHOD: In this study, 1483 doctors completed a self-administered questionnaire. RESULT: Knowledge scores and stigma index were computed from responses to relevant statements in the questionnaire. Stigmatizing attitudes of contact, reproductive rights, blaming, and judgmental were identified. HIV knowledge was a significant predictor of high stigma. Doctors' year of medical practice, status/specialty, and location of practice in Saudi Arabia were major predictors of HIV knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of poor knowledge of HIV suggests the need for further training of health workers on HIV transmission mode.
Authors: Malik Sallam; Ali M Alabbadi; Sarah Abdel-Razeq; Kareem Battah; Leen Malkawi; Mousa A Al-Abbadi; Azmi Mahafzah Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-10 Impact factor: 3.390