Percepción de competencia y adiestramiento profesional especializado relativos al VIHISIDA en estudiantes yprofesionales de la salud: el estigma como un indicador de necesidad

Abstract

Stigma is defined as the devaluation of a person due tothe possession of a characteristic that has negative social meanings. Since the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, 1 ivi ng with Hl y entails a social stigma. Research has documented stigma manifestations among health professionals. These manifestations are particularly dangerous since they might entail Iack of services for people who uve with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study had as its goals to explore: (a) the perceived level of competence of students and health professionals for delivering services to PWLHA, (b) their opinions regarding their completed and needed training, and (c) the existence of stigmatizing attitudes towards PLWHA. The sample includes 80 participants (40 students and 40 professionals) from the fields of medicine, nursing, psychology and social work. Results evidence that participants have received training in HIV but these did not address important social issues such as myths, fears, and stigma. lmplications to future research and for the development of interventions to address stigma in health scenarios is discussed.