Knowledge and HIV-related stigma among Portuguese healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional analysis

Stigma and discrimination against people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) within healthcare settings remain significant barriers to effective care. Stigmatizing attitudes persist among healthcare professionals, potentially undermining care quality. This study aimed to assess HIV-related knowledge and attitudes among healthcare professionals in Portugal, focusing on identifying factors associated with stigma.

This study was part of a European survey by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS). Data were collected via an online self-administered questionnaire between September and December 2023, targeting healthcare professionals in Portugal. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess associations between sociodemographic characteristics, HIV knowledge and stigma.

A total of 807 healthcare professionals participated in the study, with a majority being women (78%), and a mean age of 43.5 years. Most respondents were nurses (38%) and doctors (28%), worked in hospitals (54%) or primary healthcare centres (31%). The analysis showed that healthcare professionals working in HIV-dedicated departments, hospitals or community centres exhibited significantly higher levels of HIV-related knowledge. In contrast, female professionals, those over 40 years old and non-doctor professionals were less likely to demonstrate high HIV-related knowledge. Regarding stigma, professionals with limited HIV training and lower HIV knowledge were more likely to display higher levels of stigma.

These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to reduce stigma. Strengthening HIV-specific training, especially in stigma reduction, is crucial for improving care for PLHIV and fostering an inclusive healthcare environment.