Knowledge and attitudes of doctors toward people living with HIV/AIDS in Saudi Arabia
Dublin Core
Title
Knowledge and attitudes of doctors toward people living with HIV/AIDS in Saudi Arabia
Author
Memish, Ziad A.
Filemban, Sana M.
Bamgboyel, Afolabi
Al Hakeem, Rafaat F,
Elrashied, Syedgotb M,
Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.
Filemban, Sana M.
Bamgboyel, Afolabi
Al Hakeem, Rafaat F,
Elrashied, Syedgotb M,
Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.
Language
English
Publication Date
20150501
Abstract
Objectves: 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.
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.
Primary Classification
9.5.6
Secondary Classification
9.5.6
Primary keywords
AIDS [pri]; HIV infections [pri]; knowledge, attitudes, practice [pri]; physicians [pri]
Secondary keywords
culture; education; patient care; stigmatization; survey
Subject
Saudi Arabia
Journal Article
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2015 May 1; 69(1): 61-67
Link for Internet access
Note
Copyright © 2015, Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Primary Document Type
j
Subject Captions
e
Bibliography
29 refs,
ISSN
15254135 (print); 19447884 (online)
Collection
Citation
“Knowledge and attitudes of doctors toward people living with HIV/AIDS in Saudi Arabia,” Islamic Medical & Scientific Ethics, accessed January 16, 2025, https://imse.ibp.georgetown.domains/items/show/38256.