Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Health Care Workers towards HIV Patients at Primary Health Care Level in Southwestern Saudi Arabia : Twenty-Five Years after the Initial Report

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to critically review the existing knowledge, attitude and practices of HCWs towards HIV. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Primary Health Care centers in Abha and Khamis Mushait cities of Aseer region, southwestern Saudi Arabia. All HCWs (physicians, nurses, lab technicians and dentists) were invited to participate in the study. A validated self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data about HCWs’ personal and professional characteristics; knowledge of HIV infection and transmission; attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients and practices. A total of 372 HCWs were included in the study. Out of them 23.9% were unable to identify tattooing and ear piercing as methods for transmission. A considerable proportion failed to mention blood transfusion (3.8%), unprotected sex (6.7%) and unclean needles (4.0%) as possible methods for disease transmission. Additionally, 36.8% of HCWs have a misconception that kissing could transmit HIV and about misbelieved that sharing eating and drinking utensils (23.1%), swimming pool (18.8%) and living with AIDs patients (17.5%) could transmit infection. Stigmatizing attitude was detected. In conclusion, poor knowledge and stigmatizing attitude toward HIV patients are evident in HCWs. Health education programs should be adopted to improve HCWs’ knowledge about transmission mode and combat HIV stigma.