Open AccessKnowledge and Attitudes toward HIV and People Living with HIV (PLWH) among Public Health Midwives in the Galle District, Sri Lanka
Author(s) -
Jihye Suk,
Nuwan Prasad Aravinda,
Vijitha DeSilva,
Shayna M. Clancy,
L. Gayani Tillekeratne,
Truls Østbye
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
gestão e sociedade
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1980-5756
DOI - 10.21171/ges.v14i40.3337
Subject(s) - sri lanka , stigma (botany) , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , positive attitude , public health , social stigma , developing country , family medicine , nursing , environmental health , gerontology , psychology , psychiatry , south asia , social psychology , sociology , economic growth , ethnology , economics
This cross-sectional study aimed to assess HIV-related knowledge and attitudes of PHMs, the frontline community health workers in Sri Lanka. Two-hundred and ninety-one PHMs were recruited. PHMs’ knowledge level was good (79.9% of answers were correct) but could be improved. Those more knowledgeable about HIV and with higher education demonstrated a more positive attitude toward PLWH. A more negative attitude, less training and older age were associated with having a stronger intention to engage in extra precautionary behaviors. PHMs need further HIV training to improve their knowledge to better educate the community. By reducing PHMs misperceptions about HIV, they may develop a more positive attitude and thus help reduce the general public’s stigma associated with PLWH. Keywords: HIV, PLWH, Stigma, attitude, community health workers, midwives, Asia, Sri Lanka
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