HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required

Mburu Samuel; Mutuku Irene

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11

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HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required

Mburu Samuel, Mutuku Irene

Published in International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 3, Issue 6)

Received: 20 November 2017 Accepted: 1 December 2017 Published: 8 January 2018

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Abstract

According to the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) of Kenya, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention starts and ends with behavior change and anything else comes in between. Importantly, “although antiretroviral therapy (ART) was working, countries will not be able to treat their way out of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as it is not sustainable in the long run”. This highlights the critical role of healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, distigmatisation, stopping of new infection, inclusion of key populations, support groups and psychosocial support of people living with HIV (PLWH) in HIV/AIDS management and prevention strategies. Significantly, high levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge do not always translate to a positive behavior change. The purpose of this descriptive survey was to investigate the levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness, perceptions and attitudes towards the virus and PLWH among members of staff a public university in Kenya. This was a descriptive survey in which all the members of staff (due to the small population of only 288) were targeted as participants, issued with self-administered questionnaire, structured according to the NACC guidelines for public sector. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with IBM SPSS version 22 software. Significantly, HIV/AIDS knowledge levels were adequately high as indicated by the 83% female and 69% male employees who strongly agreed that the risk of HIV infection can be reduced by having one uninfected partner. Similarly, 60% females, 58% males strongly disagreed that mosquitoes could transmit HIV, while 57% males, 63% females strongly disagreed that one could get HIV by sharing food with an infected person. However, despite the high HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness levels, HIV- associated stigma (18% males & 10% females), ignorance of effectiveness of condom in prevention (10% females & 7% males) still persisted. Essentially, if these drawbacks are not decisively dealt with, they will reverse the gains so far achieved in the HIV/AIDS response. These findings are important in informing stakeholders, policy makers such as work place HIV/AIDS policy makers in formulation, implementation, designing healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, stopping of new infections, distigmatisation and preventive strategies in workplaces. This will have a direct impact on HIV/AIDS management, prevention and thus help in attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3 on ensuring health for all, promoting well-being for all at all ages, 90-90-90 strategy and the Kenya’s vision 2030 of a HIV free country.

Published in	International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 3, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11
Page(s)	63-69
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

HIV/AIDS, Attitudes, Perceptions, Awareness, Prevention, Distigmatisation, Behavior Change

References

[1]	NACC/MAISHA. 2017. Translating the science to end new HIV infections in Kenya: perspectives, practices and lessons. http://www.iasociety.org/Web/WebContent/File/EduFund_Kenya_Meeting_Report.pdf. Downloaded on 16^th October, 2017.
[2]	NACC. 2016. Kenya AIDS Progress Report. http://nacc.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Kenya-AIDS-Progress-Report_web.pdf. Downloaded on 20^th February, 2017.
[3]	WHO. 2016. Supplementary guidelines on HIV testing. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/251655/1/9789241549868-eng.pdf. Downloaded on 21^th February, 2017.
[4]	WHO. (2015). Self-testing helps combat HIV in adolescents.http://www.who.int/features/2015/hiv-self-testing/en/.Downloaded on 24^th February 2017.
[5]	S. Hosek, et al., Preventing HIV among adolescents with oral PrEP: observations and challenges in the United States and South Africa." Journal of the International AIDS Society, 19. 7, Suppl 6, 2016".
[6]	J. S Santelli, I. S Speizer, and Z. R Edelstein, Abstinence promotion under PEPFAR: The shifting focus of HIV prevention for youth. Global Public Health, 8(1), 2013, 1-12.
[7]	NACC. 2015. Maisha, NACC, Kenya guidelines for public sector (2015-2016) 12^th performance contract (pc) cycle, compliance and certification for prevention of HIV and AIDS infection (MAISHA certification) 2015 – 2016. http://nacc.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Maisha_1_and_2_Guidelines_for_12TH_PC_Cylce.pdf http: downloaded on 28th February, 2017.
[8]	P Smith, M Wallace, and L. G Bekker, Adolescents’ experience of a rapid HIV self-testing device in youth-friendly clinic settings in Cape Town South Africa: a cross-sectional community based usability study. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 19(1), 2016.
[9]	R. R Gangakhedkar, Ending AIDS: The 90–90–90 strategy. Medical Journal Armed Forces India, 73(1), 2017, 3-4.
[10]	UNAIDS. 2017. 90-90-90. An ambitious treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic. http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2017/90-90-90. Downloaded on 20^th March 2017.
[11]	UNAIDS. 2015. Global AIDS Response Progress Report. http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/JC2702_GARPR2015guidelines_en.pdf. Downloaded on 23^rd February, 2017.

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APA Style

Mburu Samuel, Mutuku Irene. (2018). HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 3(6), 63-69. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11

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Mburu Samuel; Mutuku Irene. HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2018, 3(6), 63-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11

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AMA Style

Mburu Samuel, Mutuku Irene. HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2018;3(6):63-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11,
  author = {Mburu Samuel and Mutuku Irene},
  title = {HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6},
  pages = {63-69},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20170306.11},
  abstract = {According to the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) of Kenya, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention starts and ends with behavior change and anything else comes in between. Importantly, “although antiretroviral therapy (ART) was working, countries will not be able to treat their way out of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as it is not sustainable in the long run”. This highlights the critical role of healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, distigmatisation, stopping of new infection, inclusion of key populations, support groups and psychosocial support of people living with HIV (PLWH) in HIV/AIDS management and prevention strategies. Significantly, high levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge do not always translate to a positive behavior change. The purpose of this descriptive survey was to investigate the levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness, perceptions and attitudes towards the virus and PLWH among members of staff a public university in Kenya. This was a descriptive survey in which all the members of staff (due to the small population of only 288) were targeted as participants, issued with self-administered questionnaire, structured according to the NACC guidelines for public sector. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with IBM SPSS version 22 software. Significantly, HIV/AIDS knowledge levels were adequately high as indicated by the 83% female and 69% male employees who strongly agreed that the risk of HIV infection can be reduced by having one uninfected partner. Similarly, 60% females, 58% males strongly disagreed that mosquitoes could transmit HIV, while 57% males, 63% females strongly disagreed that one could get HIV by sharing food with an infected person. However, despite the high HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness levels, HIV- associated stigma (18% males & 10% females), ignorance of effectiveness of condom in prevention (10% females & 7% males) still persisted. Essentially, if these drawbacks are not decisively dealt with, they will reverse the gains so far achieved in the HIV/AIDS response. These findings are important in informing stakeholders, policy makers such as work place HIV/AIDS policy makers in formulation, implementation, designing healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, stopping of new infections, distigmatisation and preventive strategies in workplaces. This will have a direct impact on HIV/AIDS management, prevention and thus help in attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3 on ensuring health for all, promoting well-being for all at all ages, 90-90-90 strategy and the Kenya’s vision 2030 of a HIV free country.},
 year = {2018}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required
AU  - Mburu Samuel
AU  - Mutuku Irene
Y1  - 2018/01/08
PY  - 2018
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11
T2  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JF  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JO  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
SP  - 63
EP  - 69
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5765
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11
AB  - According to the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) of Kenya, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention starts and ends with behavior change and anything else comes in between. Importantly, “although antiretroviral therapy (ART) was working, countries will not be able to treat their way out of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as it is not sustainable in the long run”. This highlights the critical role of healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, distigmatisation, stopping of new infection, inclusion of key populations, support groups and psychosocial support of people living with HIV (PLWH) in HIV/AIDS management and prevention strategies. Significantly, high levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge do not always translate to a positive behavior change. The purpose of this descriptive survey was to investigate the levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness, perceptions and attitudes towards the virus and PLWH among members of staff a public university in Kenya. This was a descriptive survey in which all the members of staff (due to the small population of only 288) were targeted as participants, issued with self-administered questionnaire, structured according to the NACC guidelines for public sector. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with IBM SPSS version 22 software. Significantly, HIV/AIDS knowledge levels were adequately high as indicated by the 83% female and 69% male employees who strongly agreed that the risk of HIV infection can be reduced by having one uninfected partner. Similarly, 60% females, 58% males strongly disagreed that mosquitoes could transmit HIV, while 57% males, 63% females strongly disagreed that one could get HIV by sharing food with an infected person. However, despite the high HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness levels, HIV- associated stigma (18% males & 10% females), ignorance of effectiveness of condom in prevention (10% females & 7% males) still persisted. Essentially, if these drawbacks are not decisively dealt with, they will reverse the gains so far achieved in the HIV/AIDS response. These findings are important in informing stakeholders, policy makers such as work place HIV/AIDS policy makers in formulation, implementation, designing healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, stopping of new infections, distigmatisation and preventive strategies in workplaces. This will have a direct impact on HIV/AIDS management, prevention and thus help in attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3 on ensuring health for all, promoting well-being for all at all ages, 90-90-90 strategy and the Kenya’s vision 2030 of a HIV free country.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Mburu Samuel

School of Health Sciences, Kirinyaga University, Kerugoya, Kenya
Mutuku Irene

School of Health Sciences, Kirinyaga University, Kerugoya, Kenya

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APA Style

Mburu Samuel, Mutuku Irene. (2018). HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 3(6), 63-69. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11

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ACS Style

Mburu Samuel; Mutuku Irene. HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2018, 3(6), 63-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11

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AMA Style

Mburu Samuel, Mutuku Irene. HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2018;3(6):63-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11,
  author = {Mburu Samuel and Mutuku Irene},
  title = {HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6},
  pages = {63-69},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20170306.11},
  abstract = {According to the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) of Kenya, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention starts and ends with behavior change and anything else comes in between. Importantly, “although antiretroviral therapy (ART) was working, countries will not be able to treat their way out of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as it is not sustainable in the long run”. This highlights the critical role of healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, distigmatisation, stopping of new infection, inclusion of key populations, support groups and psychosocial support of people living with HIV (PLWH) in HIV/AIDS management and prevention strategies. Significantly, high levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge do not always translate to a positive behavior change. The purpose of this descriptive survey was to investigate the levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness, perceptions and attitudes towards the virus and PLWH among members of staff a public university in Kenya. This was a descriptive survey in which all the members of staff (due to the small population of only 288) were targeted as participants, issued with self-administered questionnaire, structured according to the NACC guidelines for public sector. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with IBM SPSS version 22 software. Significantly, HIV/AIDS knowledge levels were adequately high as indicated by the 83% female and 69% male employees who strongly agreed that the risk of HIV infection can be reduced by having one uninfected partner. Similarly, 60% females, 58% males strongly disagreed that mosquitoes could transmit HIV, while 57% males, 63% females strongly disagreed that one could get HIV by sharing food with an infected person. However, despite the high HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness levels, HIV- associated stigma (18% males & 10% females), ignorance of effectiveness of condom in prevention (10% females & 7% males) still persisted. Essentially, if these drawbacks are not decisively dealt with, they will reverse the gains so far achieved in the HIV/AIDS response. These findings are important in informing stakeholders, policy makers such as work place HIV/AIDS policy makers in formulation, implementation, designing healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, stopping of new infections, distigmatisation and preventive strategies in workplaces. This will have a direct impact on HIV/AIDS management, prevention and thus help in attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3 on ensuring health for all, promoting well-being for all at all ages, 90-90-90 strategy and the Kenya’s vision 2030 of a HIV free country.},
 year = {2018}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required
AU  - Mburu Samuel
AU  - Mutuku Irene
Y1  - 2018/01/08
PY  - 2018
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11
T2  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JF  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JO  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
SP  - 63
EP  - 69
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5765
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20170306.11
AB  - According to the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) of Kenya, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention starts and ends with behavior change and anything else comes in between. Importantly, “although antiretroviral therapy (ART) was working, countries will not be able to treat their way out of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as it is not sustainable in the long run”. This highlights the critical role of healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, distigmatisation, stopping of new infection, inclusion of key populations, support groups and psychosocial support of people living with HIV (PLWH) in HIV/AIDS management and prevention strategies. Significantly, high levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge do not always translate to a positive behavior change. The purpose of this descriptive survey was to investigate the levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness, perceptions and attitudes towards the virus and PLWH among members of staff a public university in Kenya. This was a descriptive survey in which all the members of staff (due to the small population of only 288) were targeted as participants, issued with self-administered questionnaire, structured according to the NACC guidelines for public sector. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with IBM SPSS version 22 software. Significantly, HIV/AIDS knowledge levels were adequately high as indicated by the 83% female and 69% male employees who strongly agreed that the risk of HIV infection can be reduced by having one uninfected partner. Similarly, 60% females, 58% males strongly disagreed that mosquitoes could transmit HIV, while 57% males, 63% females strongly disagreed that one could get HIV by sharing food with an infected person. However, despite the high HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness levels, HIV- associated stigma (18% males & 10% females), ignorance of effectiveness of condom in prevention (10% females & 7% males) still persisted. Essentially, if these drawbacks are not decisively dealt with, they will reverse the gains so far achieved in the HIV/AIDS response. These findings are important in informing stakeholders, policy makers such as work place HIV/AIDS policy makers in formulation, implementation, designing healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, stopping of new infections, distigmatisation and preventive strategies in workplaces. This will have a direct impact on HIV/AIDS management, prevention and thus help in attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3 on ensuring health for all, promoting well-being for all at all ages, 90-90-90 strategy and the Kenya’s vision 2030 of a HIV free country.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6
ER  -

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