Some aspects of the Far Eastern Federal district medical staff attitude towards the issue of HIV-infection: self-perceived infection risk and stigmatization of patients living with HIV

Introduction . HIV in the Far Eastern Federal district is found in concentrated epidemic, however, the situation is tense. Scientific advances in diagnosis and treatment allowed people living with HIV (PLWH) have a chance to live a full life. However, PLWH discrimination and stigmatization as well as self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV persists among medical staff and in society. The purpose of the study : to evaluate level of awareness concerning HIV-infection, self-perceived infection risk and stigmatization of patients living with HIV among medical staff of healthcare institutions of the Far Eastern Federal district. Materials and methods . Analysis of data obtained in an anonymous survey of 1953 medical workers from 7 constituent entities of the Far Eastern Federal district was performed to implement the goals and aims of the research. Method of continuous random sampling and a structured questionnaire were used in the survey. Sociological method and method of comparative analysis were used in the study. Results. Analysis of obtained data indicates a satisfactory level of knowledge on the issue and presence of stigmatizing behavior towards HIV-infected patients. The attitude towards HIV-infected people is mostly friendly but myths about HIV-infection transmission routs were revealed that may lead to discrimination of people living with HIV. A negative reaction towards birth of children by HIV-infected women was detected. Stigmatizing behavior was higher in mid-level medical personnel compared to physicians by 4.4 times. Appearance of perceived risk of being infected due to professional duties was associated with higher work experience. Conclusion . Studying the level of healthcare institutions personnel awareness on HIV-infection can be a sort of indicator of perceived infection risk and stigmatization of HIV-infected patients. Results of the research can help to define needed measures for improving competence level of medical workers in order to form a professional environment excluding perceived risk of being infected due to professional duties and increasing tolerance towards patients living with HIV and affection the quality of medical care.