Research should be conducted to identify other factors that contribute to stigma

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 98 views

The Relationship between Knowledge Level and Stigma towards People with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) among Dentists in Medan

Introduction

The social stigma associated with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has severe consequences, including difficulties in accessing treatment and hindering efforts to prevent and control the spread of the disease. This stigma often arises from fear and misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS. Knowledge plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes and perceptions, and it is essential to understand the relationship between the level of knowledge and stigma among healthcare professionals, including dentists. This study aims to explore the relationship between the knowledge level of dentists in Medan and their stigma towards PLWHA.

Background

In Indonesia, Law No. 36 of 2009 concerning Health emphasizes the right of everyone to receive safe, quality, and affordable healthcare services. Dentists, as healthcare providers, are expected to offer services without stigma to PLWHA. However, the fear of contracting HIV in their work practices is a significant concern among healthcare workers. A study conducted by Feyisa et al in 2012 revealed that as many as 66.4% of health workers felt concerned about contracting HIV in their work practices.

Methodology

This study employed an analytic survey method with a cross-sectional design to investigate the relationship between the level of knowledge and stigma among dentists in Medan. The results of the study showed that 96.3% of respondents had knowledge about the risk of HIV infection through sexual relations. However, when viewed in terms of stigma, 98.9% of respondents felt empathy for children infected with HIV. The results also indicated that 53.1% of respondents had sufficient knowledge, while 68.5% had a stigma related to HIV/AIDS.

Findings

The statistical test using Chi-Square showed that there is no significant relationship between knowledge and stigma among dentists in Medan (p = 0.643). This finding suggests that increasing knowledge about HIV/AIDS is not always followed by changes in stigma. Other factors, such as deviant sexual behavior and narcotics abuse, can cause irrational fear, which in turn strengthens the stigma. This stigma has the potential to obstruct efforts to prevent and handle HIV, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach in increasing understanding of HIV/AIDS.

Discussion

The results of this study indicate that knowledge alone is not sufficient to reduce stigma towards PLWHA. Other factors, such as fear and misconceptions, play a significant role in shaping attitudes and perceptions. Sustainable education and training for dentists and other health workers about HIV/AIDS are essential. This effort will not only help them increase their knowledge but can also reduce existing stigma. By providing fair and non-discriminatory health services, dentists can support efforts to overcome HIV/AIDS in Indonesia.

Conclusion

The relationship between knowledge level and stigma towards PLWHA among dentists in Medan is complex. While knowledge is essential in shaping attitudes and perceptions, it is not sufficient to reduce stigma. Other factors, such as fear and misconceptions, play a significant role in shaping attitudes and perceptions. A comprehensive approach is necessary to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS, including education and training for healthcare professionals and the wider community. By working together, we can reduce stigma and provide fair and non-discriminatory health services to PLWHA.

Recommendations

Sustainable education and training for dentists and other health workers about HIV/AIDS are essential to increase knowledge and reduce stigma.
A comprehensive approach is necessary to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS, including education and training for healthcare professionals and the wider community.
Health services should be provided fairly and non-discriminatorily to support efforts to overcome HIV/AIDS in Indonesia.
Research should be conducted to identify other factors that contribute to stigma towards PLWHA, including fear and misconceptions.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The sample size was limited, which may affect the generalizability of the results.
The study only focused on dentists in Medan, which may not be representative of dentists in other regions.
The study did not explore other factors that contribute to stigma, such as fear and misconceptions.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Identify other factors that contribute to stigma towards PLWHA, including fear and misconceptions.
Explore the relationship between knowledge level and stigma among healthcare professionals in other regions.
Develop effective interventions to reduce stigma towards PLWHA.

By understanding the relationship between knowledge level and stigma towards PLWHA among dentists in Medan, we can develop effective interventions to reduce stigma and provide fair and non-discriminatory health services to PLWHA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Relationship between Knowledge Level and Stigma towards People with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) among Dentists in Medan

Q: What is the relationship between knowledge level and stigma towards PLWHA among dentists in Medan?

A: The study found that there is no significant relationship between knowledge level and stigma towards PLWHA among dentists in Medan. This means that increasing knowledge about HIV/AIDS is not always followed by changes in stigma.

Q: What are the factors that contribute to stigma towards PLWHA?

A: The study suggests that other factors, such as deviant sexual behavior and narcotics abuse, can cause irrational fear, which in turn strengthens the stigma. Fear and misconceptions also play a significant role in shaping attitudes and perceptions.

Q: What is the importance of education and training for dentists and other health workers about HIV/AIDS?

A: Education and training for dentists and other health workers about HIV/AIDS are essential to increase knowledge and reduce stigma. This effort will help them provide fair and non-discriminatory health services to PLWHA.

Q: How can we reduce stigma towards PLWHA?

A: Reducing stigma towards PLWHA requires a comprehensive approach, including education and training for healthcare professionals and the wider community. It also requires addressing fear and misconceptions and promoting empathy and understanding.

Q: What are the implications of this study for healthcare providers?

A: The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to be aware of their own biases and prejudices and to take steps to address them. It also emphasizes the importance of providing fair and non-discriminatory health services to PLWHA.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has several limitations, including a limited sample size and a focus on dentists in Medan. Future research should aim to explore the relationship between knowledge level and stigma among healthcare professionals in other regions and to identify other factors that contribute to stigma.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research should aim to identify other factors that contribute to stigma towards PLWHA, including fear and misconceptions. It should also explore the relationship between knowledge level and stigma among healthcare professionals in other regions and develop effective interventions to reduce stigma.

Q: What are the implications of this study for public health policy?

A: The study highlights the need for public health policy to address stigma towards PLWHA and to promote education and training for healthcare professionals. It also emphasizes the importance of providing fair and non-discriminatory health services to PLWHA.

Q: How can we promote empathy and understanding towards PLWHA?

A: Promoting empathy and understanding towards PLWHA requires education and awareness-raising efforts. It also requires addressing fear and misconceptions and promoting a culture of acceptance and inclusivity.

Q: What are the benefits of reducing stigma towards PLWHA?

A: Reducing stigma towards PLWHA has several benefits, including improved health outcomes, increased access to healthcare services, and reduced social isolation. It also promotes a culture of acceptance and inclusivity.

Q: How can we involve the community in reducing stigma towards PLWHA?

A: Involving the community in reducing stigma towards PLWHA requires education and awareness-raising efforts. It also requires promoting a culture of acceptance and inclusivity and encouraging community members to speak out against stigma.

Q: What are the challenges of reducing stigma towards PLWHA?

A: Reducing stigma towards PLWHA is a complex and challenging task. It requires addressing fear and misconceptions, promoting empathy and understanding, and promoting a culture of acceptance and inclusivity.

Q: How can we measure the effectiveness of interventions to reduce stigma towards PLWHA?

A: Measuring the effectiveness of interventions to reduce stigma towards PLWHA requires a comprehensive approach, including surveys, focus groups, and other research methods. It also requires evaluating the impact of interventions on health outcomes and social determinants of health.