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Attitude of Health Care Workers (HCWs) toward Patients Affected by HIV/AIDS and Drug Users: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Caterina Ledda

    (Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Francesca Cicciù

    (University Hospital of Catania Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Via Santa Sofia, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Beatrice Puglisi

    (University Hospital of Catania Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Via Santa Sofia, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Tiziana Ramaci

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, Viale delle Olimpiadi, 94100 Enna, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Nunnari

    (Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98124 Messina, Italy)

  • Venerando Rapisarda

    (Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 95123 Catania, Italy
    University Hospital of Catania Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Via Santa Sofia, 95123 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

Caring for HIV/AIDS patients and/or drug users requires health care workers (HCWs) to have good knowledge of the issues. Cultural differences in HCWs, combined with professional ethics and personal beliefs, could also result in conflicting attitudes, leading to difficulties related to looking after people affected by HIV/AIDS or drug users. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients and/or drug users in a sample of workers operating in a large university hospital in southern Italy. A total of 736 workers were surveyed from May to November 2016. During the periodic occupational health surveillance, a questionnaire was administered about attitudes of discrimination, acceptance and fear towards these patients. Respondents showed average levels of acceptance to HIV/AIDS and drug user patients. As years of experience and professional training increased, scores for discrimination, acceptance of HIV/AIDS, acceptance of drug users and fear decreased. Factors positively influencing levels of attitudes were being female and younger. Supplementary education is needed to strengthen the awareness of HCWs.

Suggested Citation

  • Caterina Ledda & Francesca Cicciù & Beatrice Puglisi & Tiziana Ramaci & Giuseppe Nunnari & Venerando Rapisarda, 2017. "Attitude of Health Care Workers (HCWs) toward Patients Affected by HIV/AIDS and Drug Users: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-8, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:3:p:284-:d:92626
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. May McCreaddie & Imogen Lyons & Debbie Watt & Elspeth Ewing & Jeanette Croft & Marion Smith & Jennifer Tocher, 2010. "Routines and rituals: a grounded theory of the pain management of drug users in acute care settings," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(19‐20), pages 2730-2740, October.
    2. French, Michael T. & McGeary, Kerry Anne & Chitwood, Dale D. & McCoy, Clyde B., 2000. "Chronic illicit drug use, health services utilization and the cost of medical care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(12), pages 1703-1713, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rong Liu & Ling Huang & Qing Yang & Qiang Hu & Qing Huang & Xiaoqing Jiang & Hui Zhu & Fei Xie & Xiaotong Wen & Xiaojun Liu & Zhaokang Yuan & Yuanan Lu, 2018. "Investigation on Task Shifting of HIV/AIDS Follow-Up Management Workers in New Launched Areas, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-9, September.
    2. Monica Pellerone & Venerando Rapisarda & Maria Chiara Antonietta Trischitta & Ermanno Vitale & Tiziana Ramaci, 2020. "Burnout and Self-Perceived Instructional Competence: An Exploratory Study of a Group of Italian Female Elementary School Teachers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai & Porntip Khemngern & Jarun Chuayen & Taweesap Siraprapasiri, 2021. "Increased Work Experience Associated with Less Stigmatizing Attitudes towards People Living with HIV among Thai Healthcare Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-9, September.

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