Abstract

This study set out to describe the relationship between health workers’ attitudes and practices and their utilization of HIV couselling and testing (CT) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in Lilongwe district. It was a survey that used a cross-sectional design and employed a functional approach to attitudes as its theoretical framework. Associations between utilization of CT and willingness to utilise PEP as dependent variables, and socio-demographics, attitudes and practices as independent variables were assessed using Pearson’s Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact tests. Eight in every ten of health workers reported that they had utilised CT at the time of the study. Negative attitudes and practices towards PLHA were still high amongst health workers. The study found that holding judgmental attitudes towards PLHA and having fear of HIV transmission made health workers less likely to utilise CT in general and VCT in particular. Fear of HIV transmission made health workers more willing to utilise PEP. The study further found that observing stigmatizing practices and holding negative attitudes towards disclosure did not make health workers less likely to utilise CT including VCT and PEP. Study results should however be interpreted with caution as social desirability bias might have played a role considering the design used. The study was however one of the first in Malawi and acted as a springboard for further research.

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School	: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Issued Date	: 2008

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