William Ddaaki, Fred Nalugoda, Holly Nishimura, Ping Teresa Yeh, Rosette Nakubulwa, Dauda Isabirye, Gertrude Nakigozi, Godfrey Kigozi, Caitlin E Kennedy, Neema Nakyanjo
{"title":"Factors shaping understanding and interpretation of sexual practice survey questions in south-central Uganda: A qualitative analysis of cognitive interviews.","authors":"William Ddaaki, Fred Nalugoda, Holly Nishimura, Ping Teresa Yeh, Rosette Nakubulwa, Dauda Isabirye, Gertrude Nakigozi, Godfrey Kigozi, Caitlin E Kennedy, Neema Nakyanjo","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2026.2671922","DOIUrl":"10.2989/16085906.2026.2671922","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Accurate interpretation of survey questions about sensitive matters such as sexual practices is crucial for obtaining reliable data to inform effective public health interventions. Describing sexual practices involves reflecting on acts and contextually attributing meanings. However, participants in sexual behaviour studies may struggle to understand questions, affecting the validity of the data.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>We investigated factors that shape the understanding of survey questions on sexual practices in South Central Uganda using a survey instrument and a semi-structured cognitive interview guide.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Participants (<i>n</i> = 24), stratified by age, sex, and community type, and including persons with disabilities, were recruited. Interviews were conducted in person, and data were analysed using thematic analysis and an analytic matrix.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A complex interaction between awareness or knowledge of the practice, memory retrieval, denial, sexual involvement, and cultural beliefs influenced participants' understanding of survey questions on sexual activities. Specifically, awareness and knowledge of the practice facilitated spontaneous and accurate responses, while a lack of familiarity led to hesitation and confusion. Memory retrieval was easier for recent experiences, and denial slowed down the process.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the importance of considering individual, interpersonal, and community-level factors to improve the accuracy and reliability of survey research on sexual practices for effective public health interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":" ","pages":"47-55"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148274271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Lenacapavir effect: Triumphalist rhetoric and the displacement of social and structural responses to HIV prevention.","authors":"Warren Parker","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2026.2686719","DOIUrl":"10.2989/16085906.2026.2686719","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication for HIV prevention with proven high efficacy in randomised controlled trials, has been widely positioned as a \"game-changing\" technology capable of ending the AIDS epidemic. Despite the withdrawal of major donor funding that necessitates a critical reappraisal of HIV prevention priorities, lenacapavir has been rapidly embedded within global policy discourse through claims of exceptional efficacy, anticipated cost-efficiency, and potential epidemiological impact. These narratives reflect a long-standing pattern of biomedical triumphalism, the rhetorical apparatus through which a political economy of biomedical HIV prevention reproduces itself. This rhetoric emanates collectively from a network of institutions, including pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, multilateral agencies, donors, and advocacy coalitions. This article traces how the rhetorical construction of lenacapavir promotes technological salvation while diverting attention from the structural and social conditions that shape HIV vulnerability. Drawing on critical social science frameworks to show the social construction of biomedical prevention, the synthesis demonstrates how triumphalist rhetoric directs resources toward biomedical approaches and products in the absence of implementation science or a robust prioritisation rationale, while marginalising other approaches of known impact, including community- centred approaches that moderate the drivers of HIV vulnerability. Billions of dollars in public funding have been directed toward biomedical HIV prevention research and development over the previous decades on microbicides and PrEP products. These investments mainly benefited research institutions in the North and select Southern partners, without contributing to epidemiological gains against HIV in eastern and Southern Africa. At a moment of constrained resources and fragile health systems, the rhetorical urgency surrounding lenacapavir limits substantive debate and is unwarranted, given that prioritisation and sustainability analyses are vital for country HIV responses in the region. Ethical, accountable discourse and the remobilisation of critical social science are needed to guide the next phase of the global HIV response.</p>","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":" ","pages":"86-97"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148393124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Confronting the cuts in foreign HIV/AIDS funding: African perspectives.","authors":"Tim Quinlan","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2026.2704310","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2989/16085906.2026.2704310","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":"25 2","pages":"iv"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Barriers and facilitators influencing the use of HIV self-testing amongst adolescent girls and young women in South Africa.","authors":"Mimi Eve Teffo, Mbongeleni Thembalihle Mgwaba","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2596606","DOIUrl":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2596606","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite global strides in HIV testing strategies in recent years, such as home testing and non-medical testing sites, HIV testing uptake and access to treatment, care, and support remain at very low access levels amongst key and priority populations, such as adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). The study assessed the barriers and facilitators influencing the use of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among AGYW in Sekhukhune Technical Vocational Education and Training college, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An institution-based descriptive exploratory qualitative study was employed in which 22 AGYW were purposively sampled. Data were collected through four focus group discussions with an average of six participants between February and April 2024. The data were analysed thematically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The participants were enrolled on levels 2 to 6 of training (age range = 19 to 24 years). Fear, doubt, and anxiety regarding HIVST results, mental health concerns after self-testing, and concerns over the accuracy and the interpretation of results were barriers linked to HIVST use. Convenience, privacy, and ease of use made HIVST appealing to AGYW.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To ensure the successful implementation of HIVST interventions, there is a need to implement a tailored modality that is appealing to AGYW. This should focus on addressing current HIVST barriers and leveraging facilitators to enhance HIVST uptake among AGYW.</p>","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":" ","pages":"14-21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146152134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Podestah Surprise Mabale, Anesu Marume, Alfred Musekiwa
{"title":"The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health performance indicators at public health care facilities in Ekurhuleni Health District, South Africa: An interrupted time series analysis.","authors":"Podestah Surprise Mabale, Anesu Marume, Alfred Musekiwa","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2604669","DOIUrl":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2604669","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background</i>: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted essential health services globally, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH).<i>Aim</i>: This study examines the impact of lockdown measures on sexual and reproductive health services in Ekurhuleni Health District, South Africa.<i>Methods</i>: An interrupted time series design was utilised to analyse the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on SRH indicators in the Ekurhuleni Health District, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Monthly data (January 2018 to December 2023) from the web-District Health Information System were used. Indicators included primary health utilisation (PHC), couple-year protection (CYP), antenatal care visits (ANC), maternal mortality ratio (MMR), medical male circumcision (MC), male urethritis syndrome (MUS), female and male condom distributions, and cervical cancer screening. Descriptive statistics and segmented linear regression models were conducted using Stata version 17.<i>Results</i>: PHC utilisation declined significantly during the COVID-19 lockdown (Coef: -0.3%, 95% CI: -0.4 to -0.2) with gradual recovery after the lockdown. ANC first visits before 20 weeks decreased by 5.7% during lockdown (Coef: -5.7%, 95%CI: - 2.8 to -8.5). Cervical cancer screening coverage significantly declined during lockdown with no recovery afterwards (Coef: -29.4%, 95% CI: -37.4 to -21.3). In contrast to these declining trends, the CYP rate remained stable and increased significantly by 18.2% during lockdown (Coef: 18.2%, 95% CI: 3.4 to 32.9). MUS declined by 3.3% during the lockdown period (Coef: -3.3%, 95% CI: -5.7 to -1.0).<i>Conclusion</i>: This study revealed a remarkable impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on sexual and reproductive health services indicators. While primary health care utilisation experienced a moderate decline and gradual recovery, other indicators, such as ANC, cervical cancer, and MUS, showed persistent negative disruptions.</p>","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":" ","pages":"30-40"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Patience Manjengwa, Clarence Yah, Nozipho Musakwa, Alfred Musekiwa
{"title":"Systematic scoping review on HIV services for males in Sub-Saharan Africa: Access, barriers, and research gaps.","authors":"Patience Manjengwa, Clarence Yah, Nozipho Musakwa, Alfred Musekiwa","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2600049","DOIUrl":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2600049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Access to HIV services among men and boys in Sub-Saharan Africa is a significant public health challenge, exacerbated by cultural norms surrounding masculinity. This scoping review systematically investigates disparities in the provision and utilisation of these services in Sub-Saharan Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework, employing a five-step process with any disputes resolved through discussion. A comprehensive search across various databases was conducted for studies published from January 2010 to October 2023. Methodological quality was assessed using PRISMA-ScR and the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool, while NVivo supported thematic content analysis. EndNote and Rayyan software facilitated reference management and study screening.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 1 489 studies retrieved, 30 met the inclusion criteria, primarily qualitative (70%) and quantitative (16.7%). Most studies originated from South Africa (<i>n</i> = 10) and Uganda (<i>n</i> = 5). HIV testing services accounted for 36.7% of the studies, followed by treatment services (26.7%) and prevention services (20%). Facilitators of access included community health services and male catch-up plans. Barriers to accessing HIV services included stigma, masculinity norms, and fear of HIV-positive results, with low-risk perception also frequently noted. Male engagement strategies emerged as key to improving service delivery and utilisation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings revealed a moderate body of literature on HIV services for men in Sub-Saharan Africa, with research concentrated in South Africa and Uganda. Stigma, masculinity norms, and fear of HIV-positive results remain significant barriers, while community health services and male catch-up plans facilitate access. Implementing male engagement strategies and addressing these barriers is essential for improving service delivery, informing policy, and prioritising future research in underrepresented regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147286970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hidden no more: A fifteen-year epidemiological assessment of HIV/AIDS in Libya and the urgent need for national action.","authors":"Hamza Saad","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2599276","DOIUrl":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2599276","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background</i>: In Libya, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has worsened over the past 10 years because of political instability, dilapidated health infrastructure, social stigma, and limited access to testing and treatment. While public health has a growing interest in addressing HIV issues, there is limited and uncoordinated national-level research on HIV in Libya.<i>Objective</i>: This study aimed to analyse trends and risk factors of HIV/AIDS in Libya from 2011 to 2025.Methods: This study utilised a retrospective descriptive epidemiological design to describe HIV/AIDS trends in Libya over 15 years (2011-2025). Data were obtained from national health records, the World Health Organization, Libyan public reports, and UNAIDS. Variables of interest included incidence, prevalence, sex, age, geographic distributions, modes of transmission, and displacement status.<i>Results</i>: By 2025, an estimated 8 200 people will be living with HIV in Libya. Males made up 77.3% of confirmed cases, injection drug use was the most common transmission route at 45.2%, and the impacts were primarily in the 30 to 39-year age group. Displaced populations made up 34% of the cases. The large increase in cases was preceded by a government indication program for testing, and cases were then identified that had previously gone undiagnosed.<i>Conclusions</i>: While the patterns of HIV spread in Libya are alarming, we recommend an urgent scale-up of interventions similar to those in Rwanda. Mobile testing units, harm reduction programs, peer outreach, and community-based anti-stigma programs in high-risk communities all require immediate scale-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":" ","pages":"22-29"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146183992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Peter Abade, Phoebe Olugo, Sarah A Gutin, Holly Nishimura, Jayne Lewis-Kulzer, Marguerite Thorp, Benard Ayieko, Lennah Oluoch, David Angawa, Carol S Camlin, Zachary A Kwena
{"title":"HIVST in the presence of a partner among fishermen in Western Kenya: A qualitative study.","authors":"Peter Abade, Phoebe Olugo, Sarah A Gutin, Holly Nishimura, Jayne Lewis-Kulzer, Marguerite Thorp, Benard Ayieko, Lennah Oluoch, David Angawa, Carol S Camlin, Zachary A Kwena","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2026.2651080","DOIUrl":"10.2989/16085906.2026.2651080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>HIV self-testing (HIVST) enables individuals to test privately and can serve as an important tool to mitigate stigma and fear of HIV testing and unintended disclosure, especially among men, who have lower voluntary testing rates than women.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>Within an intervention study involving distribution of HIVST kits by fishermen to their peers [NCT04772469], we explore the experiences and the motivations of men who chose to self-test for HIV in the presence of their female partners.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We conducted in-depth interviews (<i>n</i> = 32) with fishermen from three fishing communities along Lake Victoria, Kenya. Interviews were conducted at three months post-intervention and explored fishermen's experiences with HIVST and the context under which they tested. Interviews were analysed using a framework analysis approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Though they were not prompted by the study to do so, 17 participants described testing for HIV at home in the presence of partners. Fishermen who used HIVST kits in front of partners expressed feelings of comfort and closeness, felt the experience strengthened their relationships, helped garner partner support, and facilitated partner disclosure of their HIV status and subsequent couples' HIV testing.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Building awareness of the benefits of HIVST for promoting knowledge of HIV status, as a starting point for discussions about HIV, and to promote disclosure in relationships, may increase rates of voluntary HIV testing among men.</p>","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":" ","pages":"41-45"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13193557/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147680137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The mediating effect of individual beliefs between self-testing knowledge and HIV self-testing use.","authors":"Gerald Mukisa Nsereko, Khamisi Musanje, Loyce Kiiza Kobusingye, Martin Mabunda Baluku","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2548211","DOIUrl":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2548211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background</i>: HIV self-testing has been introduced as a secondary mode of testing in most countries as a way of counteracting the barriers associated with the traditional clinic-based method of testing. As the entry point into the HIV care cascade, testing signifies a unique contribution in the fight to end HIV by 2030. However, in Uganda, the uptake of self-testing services remains contested, especially in low-skilled communities. Using the health beliefs model constructs of individual beliefs (perceived susceptibility, benefits, and barriers), the current study examined the effect of individual beliefs as a mediating factor between HIV self-testing knowledge and use.<i>Methods</i>: A cross-sectional survey was conducted (July to September of 2023), with a systematic and random sample of 453 unskilled workers from Darling, Wakiso district, Uganda. The data were collected using a structured, validated, self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using regression mediation analysis in Process Macro Model 4 in SPSS v27.<i>Results</i>: Perceived susceptibility (<i>β</i> = 0.06, <i>Boot 95%</i> [0.03, 0.10]) and benefits (<i>β</i> = 0.06, <i>Boot 95%</i> [0.24, 0.39]) mediated HIV self-testing knowledge and HIV self-testing use. Perceived barriers (<i>β</i> = 0.01, <i>Boot 95%</i> [0.00, 0.03]) did not mediate HIV self-testing knowledge and HIV self-testing use.<i>Conclusion</i>: In addition to delivering knowledge about self-testing, the benefits of using HIV self-testing and the susceptibility nature of individuals in low-skilled employment should be given more attention as a means to increase HIV self-testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":" ","pages":"120-127"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Salma M A Mansour, Rahma Mohamed, Moses Shongwe, Eman Raslan, Ahmed Cordie, Mohamed AbdAllah, Shadw Osama Helal, Kareem Essam Aiad, Salma Ghoneim, Mohamed Khaled Elshirbeny, Mohamed Gamal Ahmed, Saeed Soliman
{"title":"Assessment of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and knowledge gaps among healthcare providers in Egypt.","authors":"Salma M A Mansour, Rahma Mohamed, Moses Shongwe, Eman Raslan, Ahmed Cordie, Mohamed AbdAllah, Shadw Osama Helal, Kareem Essam Aiad, Salma Ghoneim, Mohamed Khaled Elshirbeny, Mohamed Gamal Ahmed, Saeed Soliman","doi":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2577374","DOIUrl":"10.2989/16085906.2025.2577374","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background</i>: Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV) in healthcare settings are significant barriers to achieving Egypt's 95-95-95 targets and ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Misconceptions among healthcare professionals (HCPs) can negatively affect testing, treatment, and care outcomes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HCPs toward PLHIV at Cairo University Hospitals.<i>Methods</i>: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2021 (<i>n</i> = 344 HCPs, mean age = 31.1 years, female = 52%), including physicians, nurses, and house officers, using an online, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the UNAIDS standardised tool for measuring HIV-related stigma and discrimination. The survey covered five domains: sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and institutional policies.<i>Results</i>: Only 30.3% of participants (<i>n</i> = 104) had received HIV/AIDS training in the past year. The training received had a median training duration of 12 hours (IQR: 7-21). While 86.6% (<i>n</i> = 298) correctly identified that a healthy-looking person can have HIV, misinformation was prevalent in other areas. Furthermore, 77.3% were unaware of the \"undetectable = untransmittable\" (\"U=U\") concept. Discriminatory attitudes and stigmatising behaviour driven by illiteracy of HIV/AIDS issues were evident. More than half of the participants strongly agreed that their facility had adequate supplies and standardised procedures to reduce HIV transmission risk, and 31.4% stated that their facility lacked written guidelines to protect patients with HIV from discrimination.<i>Conclusion</i>: Persistent knowledge gaps, fear of occupational exposure, and moral judgments toward PLHIV were evident among HCP. Targeted stigma-reduction interventions through continuous professional education, enforcement of institutional anti-discrimination policies, and incorporation of HIV prevention principles into healthcare curricula are urgently needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":520548,"journal":{"name":"African journal of AIDS research : AJAR","volume":" ","pages":"184-196"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145598490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}