HIV-related stigmatized attitudes among health care providers in Aceh, Indonesia: The findings from a very low HIV case-load region

Study of HIV-related stigmatized and discriminatory attitudes is predominantly conducted in the regions with high HIV prevalence; therefore, understanding about stigmatized and discriminatory attitudes dynamic in the region with a very low HIV prevalence is needed. To identify the levels of stigmatized attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their predictors among health care providers (HCPs) in Aceh, the lowest HIV prevalence province in Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven regencies in Aceh. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 589 HCPs (doctors, nurses, midwifes and supporting staffs). Univariate analyses including one-way analysis of variance, t-test and correlation test were performed according to data type. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the predictors of stigmatized attitudes. The level of HIV-stigmatized attitudes among HCPs in Aceh was high. Univariate analysis revealed that location, experience of direct contact with PLHIV, knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention, value-driven stigma and overestimated risk to HIV transmission were associated significantly with stigmatized attitudes levels (P < 0.05). A multiple linear regression model identified that high level of value-driven stigma and high level of overestimated risk to HIV transmission were robust predictor factors for stigmatized attitudes (R2 = 0.212; F = 14.113; P < 0.001). This study demonstrates that the value-driven stigma and overestimated risk to HIV transmission are the major predictors of stigmatized attitudes toward PLHIV among HCPs in Aceh. Therefore, programs to reduce value-driven stigma and overestimated risk are needed.