Examining Perspectives of People Living with HIV in Jordan (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Jordan is considered a low HIV epidemic country with prevalence rates of 0.02% among the general population and 0.05% among key populations at higher risk of HIV exposure. Studies on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) help design public health policies and plan health interventions targeting community needs. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitude, practices (KAP), perceived stigma and discrimination, adherence to medication, and satisfaction of health services among People Who Live With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Jordan. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among PLWHAs in Jordan in 2021. The study included 152 PLWHA who receive services from the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS More than half of the study respondents showed low to moderate HIV/AIDS-related knowledge (n=90, 59.2%), negative attitudes (n=87, 57.3%), and moderate to high levels of stigma (n=86, 57.3%). Almost 28.7% (n=43) of patients had perceived moderate to high level of discrimination. Nonetheless, the majority (89.3%) of PLWHA reported that they were highly satisfied with VCT-offered health services. Overall, 31% (n=47) of the PLWHA were not adherent to medication. Adherence to ART was significantly higher among patients with high level of knowledge, patients who perceived moderate to high discrimination and patients who perceived low impact of stigma on accessing services. CONCLUSIONS More than half of PLWHA in this study had low/moderate knowledge, negative attitudes, and moderate to high levels of stigma. Findings from this study provides evidence-based results for formulating multifaceted interventions and informing decisions at different levels to enhance HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitude, and practices, overcome stigma and discrimination.