Knowledge and Attitudes toward HIV and People Living with HIV (PLWH) among Public Health Midwives in the Galle District, Sri Lanka

Authors

  • Jihye Suk National Health Insurance Service of Korea, South Korea
  • Nuwan Prasad Aravinda Department of Community Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.
  • Vijitha DeSilva Department of Community Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.
  • Shayna Clancy Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
  • L. Gayani Tillekeratne Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
  • Truls Østbye Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21171/ges.v14i40.3337

Keywords:

HIV, Stigma, Attitude, Sri Lanka, PLWH, community health workers, midwives, Asia

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess HIV-related knowledge and attitudes of PHMs, the frontline community health workers in Sri Lanka. Two-hundred and ninety-one PHMs were recruited. PHMs’ knowledge level was good (79.9% of answers were correct) but could be improved. Those more knowledgeable about HIV and with higher education demonstrated a more positive attitude toward PLWH. A more negative attitude, less training and older age were associated with having a stronger intention to engage in extra precautionary behaviors. PHMs need further HIV training to improve their knowledge to better educate the community. By reducing PHMs misperceptions about HIV, they may develop a more positive attitude and thus help reduce the general public’s stigma associated with PLWH.

 

Keywords: HIV, PLWH, Stigma, attitude, community health workers, midwives, Asia, Sri Lanka

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References

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Published

2020-08-31

How to Cite

Suk, J., Aravinda, N. P., DeSilva, V., Clancy, S., Tillekeratne, L. G., & Østbye, T. (2020). Knowledge and Attitudes toward HIV and People Living with HIV (PLWH) among Public Health Midwives in the Galle District, Sri Lanka. Management & Society Electronic Journal, 14(40), 3965–3982. https://doi.org/10.21171/ges.v14i40.3337

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 40 (2020): September/December 2020

Section

Articles

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