Abstract
Stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV have been widely documented, and have extended their impact into the workplace. Stigmatising attitudes towards people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the workplace significantly hinder HIV prevention efforts and indirectly affect national development. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the level of knowledge about HIV and AIDS and assess attitudes towards PLHIV among the general staff of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), as well as to identify factors that are associated with it. Self-administered questionnaires were posted to a total of 344 general staff from six randomly selected faculties, and they were a given a week to return the questionnaires. The response rate was 38%. Data were analysed using Pearson's correlation, independent t-test and multiple linear regression. The respondents showed a considerably high level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS (mean knowledge score of 15.57±1.93 out of 18 points) although there were some misconceptions (N=129). Likert scale responses to 20 attitude statements revealed that respondents generally had moderately positive attitudes toward PLHIV (average score of 69.65±10.08 out of 100 points). Attitudes were inconsistent when it involved direct contact and interaction with PLHIV. Factors significantly associated with level of knowledge and attitudes included age, education and income. There was no difference in mean score for knowledge and attitudes by gender. Further efforts are necessary to improve attitudes of the general staff towards PLHIV, particularly in areas of direct contact with PLHIV.
Highlights
Halting and reversing the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015, as one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), shows the determination of world leaders in addressing HIV and AIDS issues (United Nations Malaysia, 2005)
The questionnaire consisted of three sections: (i) socio-demographic characteristics, which included age, sex, race, marital status, years of formal schooling and monthly income; (ii) knowledge of HIV and AIDS; and (iii) attitudes towards people living with HIV
The ability of people living with HIV to make a contribution to the development of the country will depend on the degree of stigma they experience from their colleagues as well as employers
Summary
Halting and reversing the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015, as one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), shows the determination of world leaders in addressing HIV and AIDS issues (United Nations Malaysia, 2005). Today HIV/AIDS has become a global crisis and has proven to be one of the most destructive epidemics over the last 30 years. According to the report on the global AIDS epidemic, there were an estimated 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) globally in 2007 (UNAIDS/WHO, 2008). Since HIV was first diagnosed, feelings of fear and avoidance of PLHIV have prevailed. HIV and AIDS-related stigma poses perhaps the most important obstacle to prevention efforts, and subsequently leads to the creation of an ideal climate for promoting its further spread (UNAIDS/WHO, 2006). On the other hand, causes HIV-positive people to avoid disclosure (Brimlow, Cook & Seaton, 2003). Prevention measures and related treatment will not be effective in tackling the epidemic if HIV stigma is present
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