Stigma among healthcare workers in HIV antiretroviral services: A cross-sectional study in Indonesia.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess healthcare workers' stigma towards people living with HIV in health facilities providing antiretroviral drug services in Indonesia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2024 in Bandung, West Java Province, Indonesia. A total of 164 healthcare workers from seven community health centres offering antiretroviral treatment services were recruited using random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires assessing HIV-related stigma and healthcare providers' characteristics. Descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and multiple linear regression were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

The study analysed HIV stigma among healthcare providers using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and multiple linear regression. Findings indicated that 57.3% of participants exhibited high HIV stigma (107.2 ± 20.9). Correlation analysis showed that education level (p = 0.010), type of profession (p = 0.018), experience in caring for HIV patients (p = 0.004), training on HIV (p < 0.001), and fear of interacting with HIV patients (p <0.001) were significantly associated with stigma. Multiple regression analysis identified two independent predictors: experience in caring for HIV patients (B = 7.352, p = 0.009) and fear of interaction (B = 1.820, p < 0.001). These findings highlight key factors influencing HIV-related stigma among healthcare providers.

CONCLUSIONS

Stigma towards people living with HIV in antiretroviral treatment services remains prevalent and negatively impacts care quality, treatment adherence, and HIV prevention efforts. Routine stigma-reduction interventions targeting healthcare workers are essential to enhance care for people living with HIV. For healthcare practice, this underscores the need for structured, ongoing professional development programmes focused on empathy-building, HIV education, and communication skills. Implementing policies that promote inclusive, non-discriminatory care environments, along with institutional support systems, can significantly improve healthcare workers' attitudes and ultimately the quality of care delivered to people living with HIV.