Title : Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers in the care of people living with HIV in a tertiary government hospital in Metro Manila
Abstract:
In the past years, the Philippines has gained a reputation as one of the countries with the fastest growing Human Immunodeficiency virus cases across the world. There was a noted decrease in the incidence of HIV and AIDS related deaths in many regions of the world, but the same is not true in the Philippines. Despite the progress made in the treatment and care of HIV/AIDS over the years, People Living with HIV (PLHIV) still remains to be affected by HIV-related stigma and discrimination within the healthcare setting. Unfortunately, one of the main settings where PLHIV and those perceived to be infected with the virus experience stigma and discrimination is the health sector.
Quality of life and access to healthcare of persons living with HIV are negatively impacted by stigma and discrimination. Patients with HIV, like any other patients with other conditions, should be able to receive adequate and high-quality care from healthcare workers. However, at times, this may be influenced by lack of thorough understanding on HIV, and further complicated by the increase of varying cultural beliefs, competing attitudes, professional ethics and personal convictions of the healthcare workers.
A total of 245 participants joined the survey. Most of participants were either post-graduate degree holders (51.8%) or college graduates (42.8%). About were 1/3 were physicians and another 1/3 were nurses. Almost half (43.7%) had 0-2 years length of service. Only 52.2% had attended seminars of trainings on HIV. In terms of knowledge, the items with the widest variation in response were “The risk of occupational HIV infection and transmission among HCW is high” (Yes=58.8%, No=35.9%, and Don’t know=5.3%), followed by “All pregnant women infected with HIV will have babies born with AIDS” (Yes=33.5%, No=62.0%, and Don’t know=4.5%), and “The HIV virus can easily be killed with disinfectant in the environment” (Yes=29.8%, No=64.1%, and Don’t know=6.1%).
In terms of attitude, the items with the most varied responses were “Most PLHIV do not care if they infect others” (SA=6.1%, A=13.5%, N=35.9%, D=34.3%, and SD=10.2%), followed by “Would you mind buying food items from a food seller who has been diagnosed with HIV?” (SA=20.0%, A=20.0%, N=28.2%, D=24.1%, and SD=7.8%). In terms of practice, the items with the most “No” responses were “?To prevent accidental injury, all used needles should be recapped immediately after use on patients with HIV/AIDS” (34.7%), followed by “Double gloving is only recommended during some exposure prone procedures such as orthopedic operations, gynecological operations or when attending major trauma incidents patients” (25.7%) and “The risk of infection with HIV is high after an accidental needle stick injury at the workplace” (20.8%).
More than half of the items in the knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire were answered correctly or positively by at least 80% of healthcare workers. However, there remains to be misconceptions, negative attitudes, and wrong practices among healthcare workers of Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center towards the care of people living with HIV (PLHIV).
Audience Take Away:
- This research study will provide a baseline analysis on the level of knowledge, portrayal of attitudes, and adherence to universal precautions of healthcare workers.
- This will increase empirical knowledge and awareness of healthcare workers in the care of PLHIV against stigma and discrimination and strengthen existing policies on HIV and its transmission.
- This research study will provide information that may facilitate institutions to initiate and conduct HIV-related training and seminars to healthcare workers promoting health and reducing the risks of HIV transmission in the hospital and to provide stigma-reduction activities and management to lessen stigmatizing behaviors of healthcare workers when these gaps are identified.
