Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: October-December | Volume: 5 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 129-134
HIV/AIDS - Related Stigma and Discrimination amongst Healthcare Providers, Aden, Yemen
Hussun Saeed Jezan1, Mahmoud Md. Mohsen Al-Sakkaf2
1AIDS Awareness Center and Scientific Research,
2Genetic and Immunology, Physiological Sciences Department,
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Aden
Corresponding Author: Hussun Saeed Jezan
ABSTRACT
Background: Despite global efforts, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination continues to negatively impact the health and well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV/A) and recognized as key barriers both to the delivery and utilization of quality health services.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the occurrence of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV/A amongst healthcare providers in Aden, Yemen.
Method: A cross sectional survey study conducted between January and March 2015 with 50 healthcare providers at the two main Teachings Hospitals in Aden: Al-Gamhuria (with 25 General Surgeon) and Al-Sadakah (with 25 Gyneco-obstetricians). Healthcare providers profile and attitude including the factors related to stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV/A were collocated through using pre-structured questionnaire. Results were presented in the form of percentages and proportions.
Results: Male were (counts 28, 56%) and (22, 44.0%) were female with Female to male ratio of 1:1.27. Age ranged from 35 to 58 years of which the majority were married (43, 86%) and had more than five years of work experience (28, 56%). Only (11, 22%) out of the total were satisfied with the occupational exposure protection system offered by the hospitals. Fear of AIDS more than other disease and risk of getting HIV and/or transmitting HIV to their family member associated with higher levels of stigmatizing attitude were mostly reported. While the most frequent discriminating attitudes were discomfort working around PLHIV/A, and not to perform surgery for AIDS patients.
Conclusion: The high rates of stigma and discrimination attitudes among healthcare providers in Aden, Yemen appear to be driven primarily by negative feelings towards PLHIV/A, and fear of casual transmission. Stigmatizing attitudes contribute to missed opportunities for prevention, education and treatment, along with the undermining efforts to manage and prevent HIV transmissions.
Keywords: HIV Stigma, Discrimination, Fear, Healthcare workers,