Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
J Natl Med Assoc. 2020 Dec;112(6):668-674. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2020.06.012. Epub 2020 Jul 23.
Dimensions of HIV Stigma perceptions have not been examined in medical providers in the southern U.S. This study examined the prediction of HIV knowledge on multiple dimensions of stigma beliefs.
We assessed clinical staff (N = 153) in rural clinics (2017) HIV stigma beliefs and knowledge. Using multiple regression, we examined the ability of knowledge to predict stigma beliefs organized into meaningful dimensions.
There was high variability in HIV knowledge among the medical professionals surveyed with a score of 70/100 (i.e., a 'C'). Of the five stigma factors explored, only two had a score greater than 80 (ie., a 'B' score on the 'test'). Controlling for demographic factors, there was a significant effect of HIV Knowledge on Discrimination (F (4,146) = 2.02, p = 0.03), Prejudice (F (4,146) = 2.13, p = 0.04), Service Provision (F (4,145) = 2.30. p = 0.02), and Perceived Risk in Practice (F (4,91) = 5.75, p < 0.01).
The relatively low knowledge score and link between knowledge and stigma beliefs indicated a need for continued basic HIV education. Increased education around HIV risk is critical in the eradication of HIV given the link between high stereotyping beliefs and low testing rate.
在美国南部，尚未对医学专业人员的 HIV 污名感知维度进行研究。本研究检验了 HIV 知识对多种污名信念维度的预测作用。
我们评估了农村诊所（2017 年）的临床工作人员（N=153）的 HIV 污名信念和知识。我们使用多元回归检验了知识对以有意义维度组织的污名信念的预测能力。
接受调查的医疗专业人员的 HIV 知识差异很大，得分为 70/100（即“C”）。在所探讨的五个污名因素中，只有两个得分超过 80（即“测试”的“B”得分）。控制人口统计学因素后，HIV 知识对歧视（F（4,146）=2.02，p=0.03）、偏见（F（4,146）=2.13，p=0.04）、服务提供（F（4,145）=2.30，p=0.02）和实践中感知风险（F（4,91）=5.75，p<0.01）有显著影响。
相对较低的知识得分以及知识与污名信念之间的联系表明需要持续进行基本的 HIV 教育。鉴于高刻板印象信念与低检测率之间的联系，围绕 HIV 风险开展更多教育对于消除 HIV 至关重要。
