Some aspects of the Far Eastern Federal district medical staff attitude towards the issue of HIV-infection: self-perceived infection risk and stigmatization of patients living with HIV

Introduction. HIV in the Far Eastern Federal district is found in concentrated epidemic, however, the situation is tense. Scientific advances in diagnosis and treatment allowed people living with HIV (PLWH) have a chance to live a full life. However, PLWH discrimination and stigmatization as well as self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV persists among medical staff and in society. The purpose of the study: to evaluate level of awareness concerning HIV-infection, self-perceived infection risk and stigmatization of patients living with HIV among medical staff of healthcare institutions of the Far Eastern Federal district. Materials and methods. Analysis of data obtained in an anonymous survey of 1953 medical workers from 7 constituent entities of the Far Eastern Federal district was performed to implement the goals and aims of the research. Method of continuous random sampling and a structured questionnaire were used in the survey. Sociological method and method of comparative analysis were used in the study. Results. Analysis of obtained data indicates a satisfactory level of knowledge on the issue and presence of stigmatizing behavior towards HIV-infected patients. The attitude towards HIV-infected people is mostly friendly but myths about HIV-infection transmission routs were revealed that may lead to discrimination of people living with HIV. A negative reaction towards birth of children by HIV-infected women was detected. Stigmatizing behavior was higher in mid-level medical personnel compared to physicians by 4.4 times. Appearance of perceived risk of being infected due to professional duties was associated with higher work experience. Conclusion. Studying the level of healthcare institutions personnel awareness on HIV-infection can be a sort of indicator of perceived infection risk and stigmatization of HIV-infected patients. Results of the research can help to define needed measures for improving competence level of medical workers in order to form a professional environment excluding perceived risk of being infected due to professional duties and increasing tolerance towards patients living with HIV and affection the quality of medical care. 

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