Discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV among health care workers in Aceh, Indonesia: A vista from a very low HIV caseload region

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to identify the level of discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV (PLHIV) among health care workers (HCWs) and the factors influencing discriminatory attitudes in very low HIV load region.MethodsThis research was conducted at seven regencies in Aceh, Indonesia. A cross-sectional study design was adopted and 589 HCWs selected purposively were included in this study. Research was conducted from October 2012 to January 2013. Correlation analysis, analysis of variance and independent sample t test analysis were used according to the type of data. Multiple linear regression models were used to identify the predictor factors.ResultsIt was observed that the level of discriminatory attitudes is high. Bivariate analysis showed that regency, education, type of HCW, religion, direct contact experience with PLHIV, HIV/AIDS-related training, knowledge on transmission and prevention of HIV, value-driven stigma, overestimated risk to HIV transmission, and facility profile were significantly related to the level of discriminatory attitudes (p < 0.05). A multiple linear regression model identified the following correlate to discriminatory attitudes: being Muslim, low-level of knowledge on transmission and prevention of HIV, and high level of value-driven stigma and overestimated risk to HIV transmission (R2 = 0.205).ConclusionsOur study found that knowledge on transmission and prevention of HIV, value-driven stigma and overestimated risk to HIV transmission are the only significant predictors of discriminatory attitudes towards PLHIV among HCWs in Aceh. Therefore to reduce those factors, trainings on HIV-related discrimination to HCWs and clear guidelines and protocols related to PLHIV care are urgently needed.