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Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards people living with HIV/AIDS in Lebanon

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  • Lara Youssef
  • Souheil Hallit
  • Hala Sacre
  • Pascale Salameh
  • Michelle Cherfan
  • Marwan Akel
  • Mira Hleyhel

Abstract

Background: Up till today, studies carried in Lebanon have focused more on the prevalence of HIV and behaviors and quality of life of infected individuals, however, none of these studies discussed the degree of stigma towards these populations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to measure the rate of stigma in terms of knowledge, attitude and practice towards patients living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA) and examine the factors associated with this stigma. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, enrolling 862 participants, was carried across the five governorates in Lebanon: Beirut, Mount Lebanon, North, South and Bekaa. The survey was a self-administered questionnaire which covered information about participants’ general demographics, their knowledge, attitudes, practices and awareness towards HIV/AIDS in Lebanon., attitudes towards PLWHA, practices related to HIV/AIDS and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS situation in Lebanon. Results: The response rate to the survey was 78.36% (862 participants). Being Muslim (Beta = -2.56) or Druze (Beta = -2.64) compared to Christians were significantly associated with lower knowledge towards HIV/AIDS, whereas having a secondary (Beta = 2.71) and a university (Beta = 3.04) levels of education compared to illiteracy and higher age (Beta = 0.05) were significantly associated with higher knowledge. Higher knowledge (Beta = 0.66) was significantly associated with better attitude, whereas higher age (Beta = -0.14) and being Muslim compared to Christian (Beta = -3.44) were significantly associated with worse attitude. Better attitude (Beta = 0.02) was significantly associated with better practice, whereas females compared to males (Beta = -0.39), having a secondary level of education compared to illiteracy (Beta = -0.88) and being Muslim compared to Christian (Beta = -0.32) were significantly associated with worse practice. Conclusion: Our results stress the need for educational programs, advocacy campaigns and policies to help reduce HIV stigma. This will then help start developing interventions and strategies for a possible reduction in the stigmatization level.

Suggested Citation

  • Lara Youssef & Souheil Hallit & Hala Sacre & Pascale Salameh & Michelle Cherfan & Marwan Akel & Mira Hleyhel, 2021. "Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards people living with HIV/AIDS in Lebanon," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0249025
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249025
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    1. Herek, G.M. & Capitanio, J.P. & Widaman, K.F., 2002. "HIV-related stigma and knowledge in the United States: Prevalence and trends, 1991-1999," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(3), pages 371-377.
    2. Coleman, J.D. & Tate, A.D. & Gaddist, B. & White, J., 2016. "Social determinants of HIV-related stigma in faith-based organizations," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(3), pages 492-496.
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    1. Lucy Ngaihbanglovi Pachuau & Caterina Tannous & Kingsley Emwinyore Agho, 2021. "Factors Associated with Knowledge, Attitudes, and Prevention towards HIV/AIDS among Adults 15–49 Years in Mizoram, North East India: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, December.

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