Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria

Mabel Omonigho Akpede; Austin Itohan Ojugo; Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi; George Obozokhale Akpede

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12

| Peer-Reviewed

Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria

Mabel Omonigho Akpede, Austin Itohan Ojugo, Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi, George Obozokhale Akpede

Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 3, Issue 6)

Received: 5 September 2015 Accepted: 26 September 2015 Published: 13 October 2015

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Persons in senior administrative positions (SAP) in public universities are an important segment of the workforce, which could play an important role in the control of HIV/AIDS through their impact on the attitude to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) both within and outside the university community. However, there is a gross dearth of information on their perception of HIV/AIDS and the corresponding attitude to PLWHA. This is unlike the profusion of data on the perception of students in tertiary institutions of higher learning. The objective of this study was thus to determine the level of awareness and perception of HIV/AIDS, and the workplace attitude to PLWHA, of persons in SAP in public universities and the association with the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. A self-administered questionnaire, ‘Awareness and Attitude towards PLWHA scale’ was used to elicit responses from 250 persons, representing 91.6% of those eligible, in a cross-sectional survey of Deans of Faculties, Directors and Heads of Departments in two public universities in Edo State, Nigeria. Mean scores and mean percentage responses were compared between groups using Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA. The level of significance was set at P <0.05. The mean (standard deviation, SD) of Respondents with correct answers to the questions on perception was 72.7 (12.8)% on perception of the nature of HIV/AIDS, 45.1 (38.6)% on transmission, 90.9 (7.4)% on diagnosis and 85.8 (10.8)% on perception of its prevention (P = 0.034). The mean (SD) of the responses on general attitude was 96.8 (2.9)% and that on workplace attitude 85.2 (7.5)% (P = 0.036). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean overall scores on perception and attitude in relation to age, gender and religion. We conclude that the perception of HIV/AIDS and workplace attitude to PLWHA among persons in SAP in public universities in Nigeria are quite favourable, except in relation to the transmission of infection. We also conclude that the perception is unrelated to the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. These findings are relevant to the development of HIV/AIDS control messages, particularly those targeted at the reduction of stigmatization and discrimination, important attitudinal problems fueling the transmission of HIV/AIDS in resource-poor countries.

Published in	European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 3, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12
Page(s)	172-179
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), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Demographic Factors, HIV/AIDS, Nigeria, Persons in Senior Administrative Positions, Public Universities, Workplace Perception and Attitude

References

[1]	Caldwell JC. Rethinking the African AIDS epidemic. Population Development Review 2000: 26: 117-135.
[2]	Mbonu NC, van den Borne B, De Vries NK. Stigma of people with HIV/IDS in sub-Saharan Africa: a literature review. J Trop Med 2009; doi: 10.1155/2009/145891.
[3]	Negin J, Nemser B, Cumming R, Lelerai E, Ben Amor Y, Pronyk P. HIV attitudes, awareness and testing among older adults in Africa. AIDS Behav 2011; DOI 10.1007/s10461-011-9994-y.
[4]	Okudo JC, Ross MW. Knowledge and attitude of young people in Nigeria about HIV/AIDS: a systematic review. Peak J Public Health Manag 2015; 3: 1-9.
[5]	Letamo G. The discriminatory attitudes of health workers against people living with HIV. PLoS Med 2005; 2: e261. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0020261.
[6]	Reis C, Heisler M, Amowitz LL, Moreland RS, Mafeni JO, et al. Discriminatory attitudes and practices by health workers toward patients with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. PLoS Med 2005; 2: e246 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0020246.
[7]	Famoroti TO, Fernandes L, Chima SC. Stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS by healthcare workers at a tertiary hospital in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: a cross-sectional descriptive study. BMC Medical Ethics 2013, 14 (Suppl 1):S6 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6939/14/S1/S6.
[8]	Chah JM, Igbokwe EM, Agwu AE. Attitude towards HIV/AIDS among private plantation workers in the southwest region of Cameroon. J Human Ecol 2011; 36: 185-190.
[9]	Monjok E, Smesny A, Essien EJ. HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in Nigeria: review of research studies and future directions for prevention. Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13: 21-35.
[10]	Marshall M, Taylor N. Tackling HIV and AIDS with faith-based communities: learning from attitudes on gender relations and sexual rights with local evangelical churches in Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Gender Develop 2006; 14: 363-373. DOI: 10.1080/13552070600980344.
[11]	Muturi N, An S. HIV/AIDS stigma and religiosity among African American women. J Health Commun 2010; 15: 388-401, DOI: 10.1080/10810731003753125.
[12]	Jose O, Totona K, Begani A, Andrew T, Tombe B, Begani R. Knowledge, attitude and beliefs on HIV/AIDS among tertiary students in Papua New Guinea. World J AIDS 2011; 1: 50-61. Doi: 10.4236/wja.2011.12009.
[13]	Davtyan M, Brown B, Folayan MO. Addressing Ebola-related stigma: lessons learned from HIV/AIDS. Glob Health Action 2014; 7: 26058 – http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/gha.v7.26058.
[14]	Liu L, Pang R, Sun W, Qu P, Lu C, Wang L. Functional social support, psychological capital, and depression and anxiety symptoms among people living with HIV/AIDS employed full-time. BMC Psychiatry 2013; 13: 324. Doi: 10.1186/1771-244x-13-324.
[15]	Lau JTF, Tsui HY. Discriminatory attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS and associated factors: a population based study in the Chinese general population. Sex Transm Infect 2005; 81: 113-119. Doi: 10.1136/sti.2004.0117672005
[16]	Fako TT, Wilson DR, Linn JG, Forcheh N. HIV? AIDS care, coping strategies and work environmental stress among nurses in Botswana. Intern J Nurs Midwifery 2013; 5: 57-64. DOI 10.5897/IJNM2013.0097.
[17]	Haoses-Gorases L, Katjire M, Goraseb M. HIV/AIDS related workplace stress and fear among nurses: experience in Windhoek (Namibia). Online J Med Sci Res 2013; 2: 90-96.
[18]	Atukunda R, Memiah IP, Shumba CS. Care for the caregiver: stress relief and burnout among health workers in HIV care. Global J Med Publ Health 2013; 2: 1-7.
[19]	Sandy PT, Mavhandu-Mudzusi AH. Staff and students’ perception of an HIV/AIDS strategy: a case study of a South African rural-based university. Mediter J Soc Sci 2014; 5: 2729-. Doi: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p2729.
[20]	Jahanfar Sh, Sann LM, Rampal L. Sexual behavior, knowledge and attitude of non-medical university students towards HIV/AIDS in Malaysia. Shiraz E Med J 2010; 11: 126-140 http://semj.sums.ac.ir/vol11/jul2010/88034.htm.
[21]	Mwamwenda TS. African university students’ knowledge of HIV/AIDS and knowledge transfer. J AIDS HIV Res 2013; 5: 341-346 DOI 10.5897/JAHR2013.0254.
[22]	Duflo E, Dupas P, Kremer M, Sinei S. Education and HIV/AIDS prevention: Evidence from a randomized evaluation in Western Kenya. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4024, October 2006.
[23]	Chabilall J. Educators’ roles in developing adolescent HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes within school culture. S Afr J Educ 2012; 32: 121-131.
[24]	Entonu PE, Agwale SM. A review of the epidemiology, prevention and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection in Nigeria. Braz J Infect Dis 2007; 11: 579-590.
[25]	Mwale M. Behavioural change vis-à-vis Hiv/Aids knowledge mismatch among adolescents: the case of some selected schools in Zomba. Nordic J Afr Studies 2008; 17: 288-299.
[26]	Burgoyne AD, Drummond PD. Knowledge of HIV and AIDS in women in sub-Saharan Africa. Afr J Reprod Health 2008; 12: 14-31.
[27]	Mwamwenda TS. Education level and HIV/AIDS knowledge in Kenya. J AIDS HIV Res 2014; 6: 28-32 DOI: 10.5897/JAHR2013.0279.
[28]	Ciccio L, Sera D. assessing the knowledge and behavior towards HIV/AIDS among youth in northern Uganda: a cross-sectional survey. Giornale Italiano Di Medicale Tropicale 2010; 15: 29-34.
[29]	Paul M, Majumder B, Akhtar-Danesh N, Boblin S, Sherifali D. The gendered knowledge of HIV/AIDS among urban university students in southern Ethiopia. Proceed 1st Ann Intern Interdiscipl Confer, AIIC 2013, 24-26 April, Azores, Portugal, 602-609.
[30]	Baxen J, Breidlid A. Researching HIV/AIDS and education in sub-Saharan Africa: examining the gaps and challenges. J Educ 2004; #34: 9-29. 2004.
[31]	Abebe HG. Higher education responses to HIV/AIDS pandemic in Ethiopia: rhetorics, reality, challenges and the way forward. Ethiopian J Higher Educ 2004; 1: 1-61.
[32]	Pennap GRI, Chaanda M, Ezirike L. A review of the impact of HIV/AIDS on education, the workforce and workplace: the African experience. Soc Sci 2011; 6: 164-168.
[33]	Aluede O, Imhonde HO, Maliki AE, Alutu ANG. Assessing Nigerian university students’ knowledge about HIV/AIDS. J Soc Sci 2005; 11: 207-213.
[34]	Alika IH. HIV/AIDS awareness level of urban and rural adolescents in Edo State, Nigeria: implications for counseling. Intern J Develop Sustainability 2013; 2: 1224-1233.
[35]	Raj SM. Public awareness and sensitization campaigns on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. J Pan Afr Studies 2008; 2: 215-224.
[36]	Fawole AO, Ogunkan DV, Adegoke GS. Sexual behavior and perception of HIV/AIDS in Nigerian tertiary institutions: University of Ilorin, a case study. Global J Hum Soc Sci 2011; 11: 65-71.
[37]	Oppong AK, Oti-Boadi M. HIV/AIDS knowledge among university students: implications for health education programs in Ghana. Afr Health Sci 2013; 13: 270-277.
[38]	Adeneye AK, Mafe MA, Adeneye AA, Salami KK, Brieger WR, Titilayo MA, et al. Knowledge and perception of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ogun State, Nigeria. Afr J AIDS Res 2006; 5: 273-279.
[39]	Igbalajobi AO, Lawal MO, Olorunlana O. Risk perception and marital adjustment in HIV/AIDS among federal civil servants. J Res Develop 2015; 2: 40-49.
[40]	Bertrand JT, O’Reilly K, Denison J, Auhang R, Sweat M. Systematic review of the effectiveness of mass communication programs to change HIV/AIDS-related behaviours in developing countries. Health Educ Res 2006; 21: 567-597.
[41]	Komolafe-Opadeji HO. Promoting public awareness of HIV/AIDS in Africa: follow-up to a pilot study. Libr Phil Practice 2008 (July): 1-7.
[42]	Mwamwenda TS. African university students’ gender differences in HIV/AIDS knowledge. Mediter J Soc Sci 2014; 5: 432-437. Doi: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p432.
[43]	Mwamwenda TS. Gender differences in HIV/AIDS knowledge/awareness among Adventist University Students in Arusha. Mediter J Soc Sci 2014; 5: 726-731. Doi: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p726.
[44]	Amposah EN, Afful-Mensah G. A review of HIV/AIDS awareness and knowledge of preventive methods in Ghana. Afr J Reprod Health 2013; 17: 69-82.
[45]	Bezuidenhout S, Summers RS. HIV/AIDS awareness among first year pharmacy students and the role of the university. J Transdiscipl Res S Afr 2007; 3: 305-318.
[46]	Sadoh AE, Fawole AO, Sadoh WE, Oladimeji AO, Sotiloye OS. Attitude of health-care workers to HIV/AIDS. Afr J Reprod Health 2006; 10: 39-46.
[47]	Kyriazis I, Bobolas P, Rekliti M, Giolis A, Kalogirou T, Saridi M. Assessment of knowledge and attitudes of newly-qualified doctors towards AIDS infection. Intern J Caring Sci 2010; 3: 71-76.
[48]	Mahendra VS, Gilborn L, Bharat S, Mudoi R, Gupta I, George B, et al. Understanding and measuring AIDS-related stigma in health care settings: a developing country perspective. J Soc Aspects HIV/AIDS 2007; 4: 616.
[49]	Yadav SS, Yadav S, Mishra P. Knowledge and risk perception regarding HIV among healthcare workers in a medical college hospital. Internat J Med Sci Public Health 2014; 3: 73- . DOI: 10.5455/ijmsph.2013.051020131.
[50]	Nimma V, Lavanya R, Amara SL, Sudhakara R, Ramesh T, Padmareddy M. Are you willing to treat patients with HIV/AIDS? – An anonymous survey among staff and students of dental institution. OHDM 2014; 13: 745-748.
[51]	Bharat S. A systematic review of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in India: current understanding and future needs. J Soc Aspects HIV/AIDS 2011; 8: 38.
[52]	Kanengoni H, Mazorodze T, Harunavamwe M. The perceptions of employees towards working with HIV/AIDS infected and affected co-workers: a case of food services industry in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Afr J Business Manag 2011; 5: 10621-10628 DOI: 10.5897/AJBM11.525.
[53]	Yang H, Li X, Stanton B, Lin D, Naar-King S. HIV-related knowledge, stigma, and willingness to disclose: a mediation analysis. AIDS care 2006; 18: 717-724.
[54]	Ash R, Mash R. Faith-based organisations and HIV prevention in Africa: a review. Afr J Prm Health Care Fam Med. 2013; 5: 464. http:/dx.doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v5i1.464.
[55]	Van Staden A, Badenhorst. Reviewing gender and cultural factors associated with HIV/AIDS among university students in the South African context. Curationis 2009; 32: 19 – 48.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Mabel Omonigho Akpede, Austin Itohan Ojugo, Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi, George Obozokhale Akpede. (2015). Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3(6), 172-179. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Mabel Omonigho Akpede; Austin Itohan Ojugo; Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi; George Obozokhale Akpede. Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2015, 3(6), 172-179. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Mabel Omonigho Akpede, Austin Itohan Ojugo, Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi, George Obozokhale Akpede. Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria. Eur J Prev Med. 2015;3(6):172-179. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12,
  author = {Mabel Omonigho Akpede and Austin Itohan Ojugo and Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi and George Obozokhale Akpede},
  title = {Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6},
  pages = {172-179},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20150306.12},
  abstract = {Persons in senior administrative positions (SAP) in public universities are an important segment of the workforce, which could play an important role in the control of HIV/AIDS through their impact on the attitude to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) both within and outside the university community. However, there is a gross dearth of information on their perception of HIV/AIDS and the corresponding attitude to PLWHA. This is unlike the profusion of data on the perception of students in tertiary institutions of higher learning. The objective of this study was thus to determine the level of awareness and perception of HIV/AIDS, and the workplace attitude to PLWHA, of persons in SAP in public universities and the association with the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. A self-administered questionnaire, ‘Awareness and Attitude towards PLWHA scale’ was used to elicit responses from 250 persons, representing 91.6% of those eligible, in a cross-sectional survey of Deans of Faculties, Directors and Heads of Departments in two public universities in Edo State, Nigeria. Mean scores and mean percentage responses were compared between groups using Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA. The level of significance was set at P <0.05. The mean (standard deviation, SD) of Respondents with correct answers to the questions on perception was 72.7 (12.8)% on perception of the nature of HIV/AIDS, 45.1 (38.6)% on transmission, 90.9 (7.4)% on diagnosis and 85.8 (10.8)% on perception of its prevention (P = 0.034). The mean (SD) of the responses on general attitude was 96.8 (2.9)% and that on workplace attitude 85.2 (7.5)% (P = 0.036). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean overall scores on perception and attitude in relation to age, gender and religion. We conclude that the perception of HIV/AIDS and workplace attitude to PLWHA among persons in SAP in public universities in Nigeria are quite favourable, except in relation to the transmission of infection. We also conclude that the perception is unrelated to the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. These findings are relevant to the development of HIV/AIDS control messages, particularly those targeted at the reduction of stigmatization and discrimination, important attitudinal problems fueling the transmission of HIV/AIDS in resource-poor countries.},
 year = {2015}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria
AU  - Mabel Omonigho Akpede
AU  - Austin Itohan Ojugo
AU  - Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi
AU  - George Obozokhale Akpede
Y1  - 2015/10/13
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12
T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
SP  - 172
EP  - 179
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8230
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12
AB  - Persons in senior administrative positions (SAP) in public universities are an important segment of the workforce, which could play an important role in the control of HIV/AIDS through their impact on the attitude to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) both within and outside the university community. However, there is a gross dearth of information on their perception of HIV/AIDS and the corresponding attitude to PLWHA. This is unlike the profusion of data on the perception of students in tertiary institutions of higher learning. The objective of this study was thus to determine the level of awareness and perception of HIV/AIDS, and the workplace attitude to PLWHA, of persons in SAP in public universities and the association with the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. A self-administered questionnaire, ‘Awareness and Attitude towards PLWHA scale’ was used to elicit responses from 250 persons, representing 91.6% of those eligible, in a cross-sectional survey of Deans of Faculties, Directors and Heads of Departments in two public universities in Edo State, Nigeria. Mean scores and mean percentage responses were compared between groups using Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA. The level of significance was set at P <0.05. The mean (standard deviation, SD) of Respondents with correct answers to the questions on perception was 72.7 (12.8)% on perception of the nature of HIV/AIDS, 45.1 (38.6)% on transmission, 90.9 (7.4)% on diagnosis and 85.8 (10.8)% on perception of its prevention (P = 0.034). The mean (SD) of the responses on general attitude was 96.8 (2.9)% and that on workplace attitude 85.2 (7.5)% (P = 0.036). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean overall scores on perception and attitude in relation to age, gender and religion. We conclude that the perception of HIV/AIDS and workplace attitude to PLWHA among persons in SAP in public universities in Nigeria are quite favourable, except in relation to the transmission of infection. We also conclude that the perception is unrelated to the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. These findings are relevant to the development of HIV/AIDS control messages, particularly those targeted at the reduction of stigmatization and discrimination, important attitudinal problems fueling the transmission of HIV/AIDS in resource-poor countries.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Mabel Omonigho Akpede

Institute of Education, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
Austin Itohan Ojugo

Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi

Institute of Education, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
George Obozokhale Akpede

Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Mabel Omonigho Akpede, Austin Itohan Ojugo, Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi, George Obozokhale Akpede. (2015). Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3(6), 172-179. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Mabel Omonigho Akpede; Austin Itohan Ojugo; Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi; George Obozokhale Akpede. Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2015, 3(6), 172-179. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Mabel Omonigho Akpede, Austin Itohan Ojugo, Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi, George Obozokhale Akpede. Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria. Eur J Prev Med. 2015;3(6):172-179. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12,
  author = {Mabel Omonigho Akpede and Austin Itohan Ojugo and Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi and George Obozokhale Akpede},
  title = {Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6},
  pages = {172-179},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20150306.12},
  abstract = {Persons in senior administrative positions (SAP) in public universities are an important segment of the workforce, which could play an important role in the control of HIV/AIDS through their impact on the attitude to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) both within and outside the university community. However, there is a gross dearth of information on their perception of HIV/AIDS and the corresponding attitude to PLWHA. This is unlike the profusion of data on the perception of students in tertiary institutions of higher learning. The objective of this study was thus to determine the level of awareness and perception of HIV/AIDS, and the workplace attitude to PLWHA, of persons in SAP in public universities and the association with the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. A self-administered questionnaire, ‘Awareness and Attitude towards PLWHA scale’ was used to elicit responses from 250 persons, representing 91.6% of those eligible, in a cross-sectional survey of Deans of Faculties, Directors and Heads of Departments in two public universities in Edo State, Nigeria. Mean scores and mean percentage responses were compared between groups using Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA. The level of significance was set at P <0.05. The mean (standard deviation, SD) of Respondents with correct answers to the questions on perception was 72.7 (12.8)% on perception of the nature of HIV/AIDS, 45.1 (38.6)% on transmission, 90.9 (7.4)% on diagnosis and 85.8 (10.8)% on perception of its prevention (P = 0.034). The mean (SD) of the responses on general attitude was 96.8 (2.9)% and that on workplace attitude 85.2 (7.5)% (P = 0.036). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean overall scores on perception and attitude in relation to age, gender and religion. We conclude that the perception of HIV/AIDS and workplace attitude to PLWHA among persons in SAP in public universities in Nigeria are quite favourable, except in relation to the transmission of infection. We also conclude that the perception is unrelated to the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. These findings are relevant to the development of HIV/AIDS control messages, particularly those targeted at the reduction of stigmatization and discrimination, important attitudinal problems fueling the transmission of HIV/AIDS in resource-poor countries.},
 year = {2015}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Workplace Perception and Attitude Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS of Persons in Senior Administrative Positions in Public Universities in Nigeria
AU  - Mabel Omonigho Akpede
AU  - Austin Itohan Ojugo
AU  - Gloria Omolegho Omi-Ujuanbi
AU  - George Obozokhale Akpede
Y1  - 2015/10/13
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12
T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
SP  - 172
EP  - 179
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8230
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20150306.12
AB  - Persons in senior administrative positions (SAP) in public universities are an important segment of the workforce, which could play an important role in the control of HIV/AIDS through their impact on the attitude to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) both within and outside the university community. However, there is a gross dearth of information on their perception of HIV/AIDS and the corresponding attitude to PLWHA. This is unlike the profusion of data on the perception of students in tertiary institutions of higher learning. The objective of this study was thus to determine the level of awareness and perception of HIV/AIDS, and the workplace attitude to PLWHA, of persons in SAP in public universities and the association with the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. A self-administered questionnaire, ‘Awareness and Attitude towards PLWHA scale’ was used to elicit responses from 250 persons, representing 91.6% of those eligible, in a cross-sectional survey of Deans of Faculties, Directors and Heads of Departments in two public universities in Edo State, Nigeria. Mean scores and mean percentage responses were compared between groups using Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA. The level of significance was set at P <0.05. The mean (standard deviation, SD) of Respondents with correct answers to the questions on perception was 72.7 (12.8)% on perception of the nature of HIV/AIDS, 45.1 (38.6)% on transmission, 90.9 (7.4)% on diagnosis and 85.8 (10.8)% on perception of its prevention (P = 0.034). The mean (SD) of the responses on general attitude was 96.8 (2.9)% and that on workplace attitude 85.2 (7.5)% (P = 0.036). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean overall scores on perception and attitude in relation to age, gender and religion. We conclude that the perception of HIV/AIDS and workplace attitude to PLWHA among persons in SAP in public universities in Nigeria are quite favourable, except in relation to the transmission of infection. We also conclude that the perception is unrelated to the demographic factors of age, gender and religion. These findings are relevant to the development of HIV/AIDS control messages, particularly those targeted at the reduction of stigmatization and discrimination, important attitudinal problems fueling the transmission of HIV/AIDS in resource-poor countries.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download