Comparative analysis of HIV-related attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs between people living with HIV and health care workers in Thailand

Abstract

© 2018, Medical Association of Thailand. All rights reserved. Background: Different forms of HIV-related stigma are now firmly established in all HIV-affected countries across the world, including Thailand. These stigmas adversely affect access to care and other types of support needed by people living with HIV [PLHIV]. Data specific to differences in HIV-related attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs between Thai PLHIV and health care workers [HCWs] are scarce. Objective: To investigate and compare differences in HIV-related attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs between PLHIV and HCWs. This study aimed at comparing stigma-related attitudes among PLHIV and HCWs in Thailand. Materials and Methods: This questionnaire-based study was conducted in June 2014 in HCWs employed at and PLHIV receiving care from Siriraj Hospital, Thailand’s largest university-based national tertiary referral center. Results: Ninety-one HCWs and 61 PLHIV were included. Counseling for safe sex practice and appropriate family planning were considered as stigma at higher proportion among PLHIV than did HCWs (p = 0.006 and 0.012, respectively). Moreover, attending special clinic was also a stigma issue concerned by PLHIV (p = 0.006). Issues including sexually promiscuous, people avoiding interaction with PLHIV, gossiped by others, expelled from their places of residency, and stigmatized by mass media appeared to be a concern by only small proportion of PLHIV (less than 25% of PLHIV). Conclusion: The present study emphasized the differences in attitude among HCWs and PLHIV regarding HIV-related stigma in Thailand health care setting. Safe sex advice, appropriate family planning counseling, and setting special clinic for PLHIV were considered HIV stigma-influenced behaviors in a higher proportion of PLHIV than HCWs.