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HIV Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitude towards People Living with HIV/AIDS among Medical Students in Jordan

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  • Malik Sallam

    (Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
    Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
    Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184 Malmö, Sweden)

  • Ali M. Alabbadi

    (School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Sarah Abdel-Razeq

    (School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Kareem Battah

    (School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Leen Malkawi

    (School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Mousa A. Al-Abbadi

    (Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
    Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Azmi Mahafzah

    (Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
    Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan)

Abstract

The stigmatizing attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) can be a major barrier to effective patient care. As future physicians, medical students represent a core group that should be targeted with focused knowledge and adequate training to provide patient care without prejudice. The aim of the current study was to examine HIV/AIDS knowledge, and the stigmatizing attitude towards PLWHA, among medical students in Jordan. The current study was based on a self-administered online questionnaire, which was distributed during March–May 2021, involving students at the six medical schools in Jordan, with items assessing demographics, HIV/AIDS knowledge, and HIV/AIDS stigmatizing attitude, which was evaluated using the validated HIV-stigma scale. The total number of respondents was 1362, with predominance of females ( n = 780, 57.3%). Lack of HIV/AIDS knowledge among the study participants was notable for the following items: HIV transmission through breastfeeding (40.8% correct responses), HIV is not transmitted through saliva (42.6% correct responses), and vertical transmission of HIV can be prevented (48.8% correct responses). Approximately two-thirds of the respondents displayed a positive attitude towards PLWHA. For six out of the 14 HIV/AIDS knowledge items, lack of knowledge was significantly correlated with a more negative attitude towards PLWHA. Multinomial regression analysis showed that a significantly more negative attitude towards PLWHA was found among the pre-clinical students compared to the clinical students (odds ratio (OR): 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.43–0.97, p = 0.036); and that affiliation to medical schools that were founded before 2000 was associated with a more positive attitude towards PLWHA compared to affiliation to recently founded medical schools in the country (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.42–2.42, p < 0.001). About one-third of medical students who participated in the study displayed a negative attitude towards PLWHA. Defects in HIV/AIDS knowledge were detected for aspects involving HIV transmission and prevention, and such defects were correlated with a more negative attitude towards PLWHA. It is recommended to revise the current medical training curricula, and to tailor improvements in the overall HIV/AIDS knowledge, which can be reflected in a more positive attitude towards PLWHA, particularly for the recently established medical schools in the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Malik Sallam & Ali M. Alabbadi & Sarah Abdel-Razeq & Kareem Battah & Leen Malkawi & Mousa A. Al-Abbadi & Azmi Mahafzah, 2022. "HIV Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitude towards People Living with HIV/AIDS among Medical Students in Jordan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:745-:d:721519
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hatzenbuehler, M.L. & Phelan, J.C. & Link, B.G., 2013. "Stigma as a fundamental cause of population health inequalities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(5), pages 813-821.
    2. Bach Xuan Tran & Hai Thanh Phan & Carl A. Latkin & Huong Lan Thi Nguyen & Chi Linh Hoang & Cyrus S.H. Ho & Roger C.M. Ho, 2019. "Understanding Global HIV Stigma and Discrimination: Are Contextual Factors Sufficiently Studied? (GAP RESEARCH )," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-19, May.
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    2. Francesca Viola & Beatrice Formenti & Stefania Arsuffi & Itala Polesini & Emanuele Focà & Francesco Castelli & Eugenia Quiros-Roldan, 2023. "Knowledge and Attitudes towards HIV and HCV among the Population Attending the Fast-Track Cities Mobile Unit in Brescia, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-13, October.

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