Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal (Mar 2020)

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Related to HIV Stigma and Discrimination Among Healthcare Workers in Oman

  • Samir Shah,
  • Ali Elgalib,
  • Adil Al-Wahaibi,
  • Maha Al-Fori,
  • Prasanna Raju,
  • Mahmood Al-Skaiti,
  • Huda N. Al-Mashani,
  • Kishor Duthade,
  • Iyad Omaar,
  • Muhammad Muqeetullah,
  • Nilanjan Mitra,
  • Parag Shah,
  • Mohammed Amin,
  • Essam Morkos,
  • Vidyanand Vaidya,
  • Zeyana Al-Habsi,
  • Idris Al-Abaidani,
  • Seif S. Al-Abri

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2020.20.01.005
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 1
pp. 29 – 36

Abstract

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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 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. Keywords: HIV; Social Stigma; Social Discrimination; Knowledge; Attitude; Professional Practice; Healthcare Providers; Oman.