Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of health care workers towards clients of sexual health services in Fiji

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doi:10.1071/SH11118

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Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of health care workers towards clients of sexual health services in Fiji

Paraniala Silas Lui ^A, Jeganathan Sarangapany ^B, Kim Begley ^B, Rachel Musson ^B, Sharan Ram ^A and Kamal Kishore ^A ^C

^A College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji.
^B The Albion Street Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Capacity Building and Health Care Worker Training in HIV/AIDS Care, Treatment and Support, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
^C Corresponding author. Email: kamal.kishore@fnu.ac.fj

Sexual Health - http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH11118
Submitted: 23 August 2011 Accepted: 6 November 2011 Published online: 20 January 2012





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Abstract

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify the attitudes and behaviours of health care workers (HCWs) in health care settings (HCS) in Fiji involving 369 participants. Self-rated knowledge of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) varied depending on whether the HCS was divisional or sub-divisional, and varied between the various national divisions. HCWs with experience in HIV, reproductive health and antenatal clinics had higher self-rated HIV knowledge. A high proportion had a fear of catching HIV from HIV-positive clients. This study found high levels of negative attitudes towards clients from vulnerable groups with regards to the transmission and spread of HIV. Study participants also reported observing differential treatment by their colleagues if a client was known to have or was suspected of having HIV. There is a need for further HIV education of HCWs, with training focussed on occupational risk, and on reducing stigma and discrimination of those living with or vulnerable to HIV in Fiji.

Additional keywords: at risk populations, discrimination, HIV, occupational risk, STIs, stigma.

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