Public awareness and stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV in Hodeidah City, Yemen

Background: HIV-related stigma remains a critical barrier to testing, treatment engagement, and viral suppression in conflict-affected settings. In Yemen, prolonged civil conflict has weakened health infrastructure and surveillance, limiting data on public awareness and stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLWH), particularly in urban humanitarian hubs like Hodeidah City. Objective: To quantify HIV knowledge, measure stigma prevalence, identify sociodemographic correlates of knowledge and stigma, and assess perceived impacts of stigma on healthcare access among adults in Hodeidah City. Methods: Conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study from December 2023 to February 2024 in Hodeidah City, the research sampled 990 adults using stratified random sampling. Data on demographics, HIV knowledge, attitudes towards PLWH, and healthcare perceptions were collected via a questionnaire. Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests in SPSS, determined significant associations. Results: The study revealed significant deficiencies in HIV understanding, with only 55.4% accurately identifying transmission routes. Alarmingly, 82% exhibited stigmatizing attitudes, with education and income significantly associated with knowledge and attitudes (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.23-2.58, p < 0.05). Cultural misconceptions, moral judgments, and fear of contagion drove stigma, impacting healthcare-seeking behaviors (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.55-2.84, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings emphasize the critical need for tailored interventions, culturally sensitive education, and supportive policies to combat stigma and improve health outcomes for PLWH in Hodeidah City. Addressing knowledge gaps and dispelling misconceptions are essential for promoting inclusivity and effective public health responses in Yemen.