Evaluation of HIV knowledge and attitudes towards patients living with HIV AIDS among healthcare professionals in a hospital in Somalia

Ali Kutta Çelik; Ahmed Mohamed Ali; Liban Adde Hussein; Fartun Mohamed Hilowle; Mücahit Türkan; Suad Abdikarim İsse; Tigad Ali

doi:10.47582/jompac.1853197

Evaluation of HIV knowledge and attitudes towards patients living with HIV AIDS among healthcare professionals in a hospital in Somalia

Abstract

Aims: Although HIV/AIDS was first identified in 1981, negative prejudices toward individuals living with this disease remain widespread. These stigmas create significant barriers, causing patients to conceal their condition, which in turn disrupts efforts for effective disease control, management, and treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 301 participants, including physicians, nurses, midwives, health technicians, and laboratory staff working in our hospital, using an anonymous survey method. The study consisted of three sections and a total of 57 questions, focusing on participants' demographic information, knowledge about HIV, and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients. The survey was conducted by specialist physicians and general practitioners working in the infectious diseases clinic, as well as by Infection Control Committee nurses. During this process, both outpatient clinics and inpatient wards were visited, and the survey was completed through face-to-face interviews. The survey was carried out over a period of approximately two months. Results: The knowledge level of healthcare workers (HCWs) who participated in the survey was significantly higher than their positive biases (p<0.01). Physicians (p=0.002) and those with postgraduate education (p=0.026) had significantly higher levels of HIV knowledge compared to others. As HIV knowledge increased, negative prejudices decreased significantly (p<0.001). No significant relationship was found between gender, age, marital status, work area, years of experience, and knowledge or attitude. Notably, HCWs had insufficient knowledge, particularly regarding the modes of HIV transmission. Conclusion: Given the positive correlation between HCWs' high knowledge levels and their positive attitudes toward patients, we believe that profession- and experience-based educational interventions and training programs are essential to increase HIV awareness and reduce misconceptions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

the Clinical Research Ethics Committee Unit of the Mogadishu-Somalia-Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital (Approval No:18529 )

Thanks

none

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ali Kutta Çelik ^*
0000-0002-0660-7482
Türkiye

Ahmed Mohamed Ali
0000-0002-4000-380X
Somalia

Liban Adde Hussein
0009-0003-2086-2433
Somalia

Fartun Mohamed Hilowle
0009-0004-2899-995X
Somalia

Mücahit Türkan
0009-0007-8997-0300
Türkiye

Suad Abdikarim İsse
0000-0002-5300-1723
Somalia

Tigad Ali
0000-0002-4364-4864
Somalia

Publication Date

February 20, 2026

Submission Date

December 31, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 31, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1853197

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA78YY87NA

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Çelik, A. K., Ali, A. M., Adde Hussein, L., Hilowle, F. M., Türkan, M., İsse, S. A., & Ali, T. (2026). Evaluation of HIV knowledge and attitudes towards patients living with HIV AIDS among healthcare professionals in a hospital in Somalia. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(1), 64-70. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1853197

AMA

1.Çelik AK, Ali AM, Adde Hussein L, et al. Evaluation of HIV knowledge and attitudes towards patients living with HIV AIDS among healthcare professionals in a hospital in Somalia. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(1):64-70. doi:10.47582/jompac.1853197

Chicago

Çelik, Ali Kutta, Ahmed Mohamed Ali, Liban Adde Hussein, et al. 2026. “Evaluation of HIV Knowledge and Attitudes towards Patients Living With HIV AIDS Among Healthcare Professionals in a Hospital in Somalia”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (1): 64-70. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1853197.

EndNote

Çelik AK, Ali AM, Adde Hussein L, Hilowle FM, Türkan M, İsse SA, Ali T (February 1, 2026) Evaluation of HIV knowledge and attitudes towards patients living with HIV AIDS among healthcare professionals in a hospital in Somalia. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 1 64–70.

IEEE

[1]A. K. Çelik et al., “Evaluation of HIV knowledge and attitudes towards patients living with HIV AIDS among healthcare professionals in a hospital in Somalia”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 64–70, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1853197.

ISNAD

Çelik, Ali Kutta - Ali, Ahmed Mohamed - Adde Hussein, Liban - Hilowle, Fartun Mohamed - Türkan, Mücahit - İsse, Suad Abdikarim - Ali, Tigad. “Evaluation of HIV Knowledge and Attitudes towards Patients Living With HIV AIDS Among Healthcare Professionals in a Hospital in Somalia”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/1 (February 1, 2026): 64-70. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1853197.

JAMA

1.Çelik AK, Ali AM, Adde Hussein L, Hilowle FM, Türkan M, İsse SA, Ali T. Evaluation of HIV knowledge and attitudes towards patients living with HIV AIDS among healthcare professionals in a hospital in Somalia. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:64–70.

MLA

Çelik, Ali Kutta, et al. “Evaluation of HIV Knowledge and Attitudes towards Patients Living With HIV AIDS Among Healthcare Professionals in a Hospital in Somalia”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 64-70, doi:10.47582/jompac.1853197.

Vancouver

1.Ali Kutta Çelik, Ahmed Mohamed Ali, Liban Adde Hussein, Fartun Mohamed Hilowle, Mücahit Türkan, Suad Abdikarim İsse, Tigad Ali. Evaluation of HIV knowledge and attitudes towards patients living with HIV AIDS among healthcare professionals in a hospital in Somalia. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026 Feb. 1;7(1):64-70. doi:10.47582/jompac.1853197