Stigma in HIV-infected health care workers in Kenya: a mixed-method approach

Determinants Model in Reducing HIV-Related Stigma in Health care Workers: A Systematic Review

Background: The stigma accepted by people living with HIV (PLWHA) is a major obstacle in HIV prevention, especially from health workers. Aims: This study aims to determine the factors associated with HIV stigma among health workers. Methods: This systematic review was conducted using the 2015 PRISMA guidelines. All publications by reading the title and abstract. In the final screening stage, the authors read the full text of the remainder of the article and held back studies that were consistent with inclusion criteria, focusing on HIV-related stigma determinants published in 2010-2020. Results: The stigma that comes from health workers to PLWHA can come from personal beliefs or a lack of personal confidence, which can be derived from self-confidence, self-confidence, knowledge, working time, and institutional support or policies from the workplace that create discriminatory behavior when dealing with PLWHA. The created stigma can reduce social interactions and the quality of life of PLWHA. Conclusion: It is important to find determinants to formulate appropriate intervention plans in reducing HIV-related stigma, especially among health workers.

Knowledge, stigma and health-seeking behavior of patients co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis in Jakarta

The purpose was to identify knowledge and TB stigma, as well as its relationship with health-seeking behavior in HIV and TB co-infection patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 115 HIV and TB co-infection patients who visited the VCT Polyclinic in five hospitals in Jakarta. This study was using instruments: Brief HIV-Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18), Knowledge TB survey Questionnaire, Berger HIV stigma Scale, Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Scale. This study showed that respondents had good knowledge of TB (69.6%) and had a low stigma of TB (55.7%), and had a health-seeking behavior that did not delay consultation (55.7%). There was a significant relationship between TB knowledge (p-value: 0.042) and TB stigma (p-value: 0.026) with health-seeking behavior. The results of this study can be used as guidelines to improve education and counseling about TB knowledge and TB stigma in HIV and TB co-infection patients.

Healthcare-related factors affecting the management of HIV infected patients: a systematic review of qualitative evidence

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a major health concern that is associated with high mortality and socioeconomic burden on both patients and healthcare authorities. This systematic review aimed to qualitatively explore the healthcare-related factors influencing the management of HIV in adult patients. Seven online databases (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, CINAHL, PsycInfo, PsycExtra, and International Pharmaceutical Abstract) were searched. Articles published in English language between September 2000 and September 2018 were eligible for inclusion. Quality assessment tool developed by the EPPI-Centre was used to assess the quality of the included studies. A cross-case thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 10. A total of 30 studies were included in the review. The qualitative analysis identified four major themes influencing the management of HIV: awareness of healthcare professionals (HCPs), attitudes of HCPs, lack of healthcare infrastructure, and stigma associated with HIV. The findings of this review suggest that people living with HIV are at an increased risk of experiencing poor disease management due to various healthcare-related factors. HCPs and policy makers should acknowledge the presence of these factors with the aim of providing quality care to people living with HIV.

"Being seen" at the clinic: Zambian and South African health worker reflections on the relationship between health facility spatial organisation and items and HIV stigma in 21 health facilities, the HPTN 071 (PopART) study

Health workers in 21 government health facilities in Zambia and South Africa linked spatial organisation of HIV services and material items signifying HIV-status (for example, coloured client cards) to the risk of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) ‘being seen’ or identified by others. Demarcated HIV services, distinctive client flow and associated-items were considered especially distinguishing. Strategies to circumvent any resulting stigma mostly involved PLHIV avoiding and/or reducing contact with services and health workers reducing visibility of PLHIV through alterations to structures, items and systems. HIV spatial organisation and item adjustments, enacting PLHIV-friendly policies and wider stigma reduction initiatives could combined reduce risks of identification and enhance the privacy of health facility space and diminish stigma.

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Spatial dimensions of stigma are linked to accessing HIV treatment in clinics.

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Distinct demarcation and client flow trigger visibility of People Living with HIV.

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Approaching HIV services carries a social risk of unwanted disclosure for PLHIV.

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Thoughtful spatial organisation and labelling reduces the chance of “being seen”.

Attitudes of nurses toward HIV-infected colleagues in Japan

BACKGROUND

Nurses may be unwilling to accept HIV-infected colleagues who can continue to work with patients if the provider-to-patient transmission risks have been appropriately assessed.

AIMS

To assess the factors associated with nurses' willingness to accept HIV-infected colleagues as coworkers.

DESIGN

Descriptive and cross-sectional.

METHODS

An anonymous online survey targeting Japanese nurses working in hospitals or clinics (n = 992). Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with their willingness to accept HIV-positive colleagues before or after a risk assessment.

RESULTS

Respondents who avoided contact with, and expressed discriminatory views about, HIV-infected colleagues were less willing to accept them. After undertaking an appropriate risk assessment, a high level of knowledge regarding HIV transmission increased the likelihood of acceptance towards HIV-infected colleagues.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of risk assessment may increase nurses' willingness to accept HIV-infected colleagues, particularly among co-workers with a high level of knowledge about HIV.