Knowledge and attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS among healthcare workers in a low middle income country

Introduction: Although Sri Lanka has a low Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence, there has been an increase in HIV/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) cases over the last few decades. HIV-related stigma and discrimination within the healthcare system can have serious effects as it can discourage people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) from seeking essential health care, creating a latent epidemic within the country. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the level of stigma and discrimination towards PLWHA among healthcare workers at a District General Hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires among a sample of 115 healthcare workers, consisting of doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants from medical and surgical wards. Results: Only 43.5% of participants had good knowledge, with doctors being the majority. Stigma was highest among healthcare assistants and nurses. Most of the (94.8%) participants admitted to practising at least one act of discrimination, among which healthcare assistants were the majority. Poor knowledge about the disease was a positive driver for both stigma and discrimination.Conclusions: As healthcare workers are expected to have a better understanding of HIV and lesser stigma and discriminatory attitudes compared to the general public, there is a need for a programme that would provide education about the disease to all healthcare workers to eliminate the stigma so that PLWHA will benefit both medically and socially.