title: Knowledge and Attitudes of Doctors Toward People Living With HIV/AIDS in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reports showed that Saudi Arabia has low prevalence of HIV/AIDS despite increasing influx of foreign nationals from countries with high risk of HIV. Knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes of health care workers contribute to difficulties of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) accessing prevention, care, and treatment services. Nothing is known about stigma and discrimination about PLWHA in Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed knowledge of Saudi Arabian doctors about HIV and their attitudes toward PLWHA using a cross-sectional study design.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 1483 doctors completed a self-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge scores and stigma index were computed from responses to relevant statements in the questionnaire. Stigmatizing attitudes of contact, reproductive rights, blaming, and judgmental were identified. HIV knowledge was a significant predictor of high stigma. Doctors' year of medical practice, status/specialty, and location of practice in Saudi Arabia were major predictors of HIV knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence of poor knowledge of HIV suggests the need for further training of health workers on HIV transmission mode.
authors: *Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; †Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; ‡Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and §Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
authors: Ziad A
authors: ZA
authors: Memish
authors: Sana M
authors: SM
authors: Filemban
authors: Afolabi
authors: A
authors: Bamgboyel
authors: Rafaat F
authors: RF
authors: Al Hakeem
authors: Sayedgotb M
authors: SM
authors: Elrashied
authors: Jaffar A
authors: JA
authors: Al-Tawfiq
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D011361:Professional Competence; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D063508:Social Discrimination; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult