Shah S, Elgalib A, Al-Wahaibi A, Al-Fori M, Raju P, Al-Skaiti M, Al-Mashani HN, Duthade K, Omaar I, Muqeetullah M, Mitra N, Shah P, Amin M, Morkos E, Vaidya V, Al-Habsi Z, Al-Abaidani I, Al-Abri SS. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Related to HIV Stigma and Discrimination Among Healthcare Workers in Oman.
Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2020;
20:e29-e36. [PMID:
32190367 DOI:
10.18295/squmj.2020.20.01.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives
Stigma and discrimination undermine the quality of life of people with HIV and their access to health services. This study aimed to assess HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Oman.
Methods
This cross-sectional study took place between July and November 2016. A questionnaire was distributed to 1,400 government HCWs to determine HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices.
Results
A total of 1,281 HCWs participated (response rate = 92%). Routine tasks, such as dressing wounds, drawing blood and touching clothes, were a cause of concern for 24-52% of HCWs. Only 69% correctly answered questions regarding the transmission of HIV via eating/drinking and mosquito bites. Compared to other HCWs, doctors had significantly higher knowledge (mean = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19 to 0.73; P <0.001), attitude (mean = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.31 to 1.24; P = 0.001) and practice (mean = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.59 to 2.55; P <0.001) scores. Expatriates also scored significantly higher in knowledge (mean = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.93 to 1.23; P <0.001), attitude (mean = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.48; P <0.001) and practice (mean = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.34; P <0.001) compared to Omani nationals. Finally, those with >15 years' work experience scored significantly higher on knowledge (mean = -0.60, 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.08; P = 0.025) and attitude (mean = -0.99, 95% CI: -1.87 to -0.10; P = 0.029) compared to those with less experience.
Conclusion
The high rate of HIV-related stigma among HCWs in Oman should be rectified in order to achieve the 90-90-90 target set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.
Collapse