Abstract:
Stigma against people living with HIV
(PLHIV) among health workers remains a
barrier to the provision of needed care to
HIV patients worldwide. We sought to
investigate predictors of HIV stigma among
health workers in Cape Coast, Ghana. This
was a cross sectional study conducted in
three hospitals from November 2016 to
February 2017. The study made use of a
pre-existing self-administered question naire. Multiple regression analysis and
Pearson’s coefficient tests were performed
to determine the relationship between the
dependent variable, i.e. the stigmatized atti tudes of health workers, and some indepen dent variables, and to determine which of
the independent variables predict stigma
amongst health care workers. A total of 331
health workers of different categories par ticipated. Respondents’ personal opinions
on HIV, fears/worries of getting infected
and category of staff {F(3,327)= 23.934
P<0.00}, R2 = 0.180) significantly predict ed their stigmatizing behaviour. Compared
to other health workers, nurses had higher
scores for stigmatizing behaviour. The
study found evidence of discriminatory and
stigmatizing behaviour towards PLHIV by
health workers. Stigma reduction pro grammes aimed at health workers should be
strengthened at all health facilities that pro vide care to PLHIV.
