Attitude of Health Personnel Towards People Living With HIV

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this study were to find out the level of prejudice amongst doctors and nurses against people living with HIV (PLHIV) at a teaching and research hospital, and to determine the underlying factors of this prejudice. Methods: A 39-question survey was applied to 126 doctors and nurses in order to determine the demographic characteristics of participants and to measure the level of disease knowledge and level of prejudice against PLHIV. Correlation was found between participants' demographic characteristics and level of knowledge and prejudice. Participants' knowledge and prejudice levels were scored by assigning 1 point to correct answers while assigning zero to wrong answers in the section analyzing the relationship between the level of knowledge and prejudice. The relationship between these variables was shown on a scatter diagram and estimated by linear regression analysis. Results: Though lack of knowledge and prejudice against PLHIV was found to be high among all participants, high school graduates and nurses appeared to be less knowledgeable about and more prejudiced against PLHIV than university graduates and doctors. Having worked at infectious diseases and clinical microbiology department or having followed PLHIV before did not have any positive impact on the level of knowledge or prejudice. High level of knowledge was found to be associated with low level of prejudice. In addition, it was observed that factors other than the level of knowledge were also the cause of prejudice. Conclusions: Lack of knowledge is just one of the causes of prejudice against PLHIV among health personnel. Health personnel have to be informed about PLHIV to lessen existing prejudice, and other factors that may result in prejudice need to be further researched. Klimik Dergisi 2014; 27(3): 103-8.

Hekimler Haricindeki Sağlık Çalışanlarının HIV ile İlgili Bilgi Düzeyleri ve HIV ile Yaşayan Bireylere Yaklaşımları

“…The overall wellbeing of HIV-infected patients who delay or avoid medical care has been impaired as indicated by these studies (10,11) This study was conducted in three hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey. Comparing the results of this study to others conducted in Turkey, it is seen that the outcomes are similar (12,13). The level of knowledge of hospital workers regarding HIV was mostly insufficient.…”

“…This approach has been shown to lead to the avoidance of seeking healthcare by PLHIV (10,11). Studies conducted in Turkey and abroad have shown that there is indeed a lack of knowledge amongst nurses and physicians regarding HIV (12)(13)(14)(15)).…”

Evaluation of Hiv / Aids Information and Stigmatization Level and Related Factors

“…Önermelerden alınan puan arttığında, bilgi ve damgalama düzeyinin yüksek olduğu kabul edildi. Bilgi ve damgalama önermelerini oluşturma sürecinde, kapsamlı bir literatür taraması yapıldı [13][14][15][16][17] ve 45 önermeden oluşan bir önerme havuzu oluşturuldu. Önermelerin kapsam geçerliliğini değerlendirmek için, önermeler ve genel anket hakkındaki görüşler için 4 psikiyatri uzmanı, 4 enfeksiyon hastalıkları uzmanı ve 2 hemşire olmak üzere toplam 10 uzma-…”

Challenges to a Rights-Based Approach in Sexual Health Policy: A Comparative Study of Turkey and England

“…However, discrimination-related obstacles in accessing such services remain. For instance, the low level of knowledge about HIV infection and a high level of prejudice among medical personnel against people living with HIV (PLHIV) [53] might still be acting as a disincentive for patients to apply for testing or to start and continue treatment. This is an expected outcome, as medical education in Turkey does not cover sexual and reproductive health issues from a rights-based perspective.…”