Stigmatized attitudes toward people living with HIV in Bangladesh: health care workers' perspectives
Mohammad Bellal Hossain; Kippax, S.
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 23(2): 171-182
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1941-2479 PMID: 19825839 DOI: 10.1177/1010539509346980Document Number: 221245
This study was conducted among 526 health care workers (HCWs) in Bangladesh to identify the levels and correlates of stigmatized attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLHIV). HIV-related stigmatized attitudes were measured by a set of items that reflected avoidance attitude of HCWs in hypothetical situations. A multiple linear regression model identified the following correlates of stigma: higher age, high level of irrational fear about HIV and AIDS, being HCW other than a doctor, working in teaching hospital, and rating religion as very important in their life (R (2) = .502). The findings are important for both public health policy planners and human rights activists as high prevalence of stigmatized attitudes among HCWs influence the decision-making process of PLHIV and stop them from accessing voluntary counseling and testing, care, support, and treatment services.