Abstract:
Objectives: To assess the extent of HIV and AIDS related stigma among health care
professionals, to identify factors that cause attitudes and perception towards HIV and
AIDS related stigma and to determine if HIV and AIDS influence stigma.
Study design: A descriptive cross sectional survey.
Settings: Tshilidzini Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Subjects: A total of two hundred and sixty five health care professionals participated in
the study. The study employed convenience sampling, when collecting data. The majority
of health care professionals were females (77.7%). The average age of participants was
39.5 years with a standard deviation of 9.6.
Outcome measures: Subject’s demographic information was determined by use of
questionnaire. Age, gender educational level and race were included. Attitudes and
perception towards HIV and AIDS patients were also assessed.
Analysis: Data were analyzed by SPSS windows version 15.0. Means and frequencies
were calculated. ANOVA and T test were employed to assess the comparison of attitudes
between health care professionals.
Findings: The results showed that the majority of health care professionals do not have
negative attitudes towards people living with HIV and AIDS. Out of 265 health care
professionals, 69% agreed that they needed to eliminate shame and rejection associated
with HIV and AIDS, and 84% indicated that they needed more training to be more
sensitive to the needs of people living with HIV and AIDS.Conclusion: Findings from the study showed high positive attitudes and perception
among health care professionals towards people living with HIV and AIDS. Government
should make provision of protective clothing a priority to reduce the perceived risk of
HIV infection. Government should also introduce HIV and AIDS education at the
primary level of health care.
