{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nDespite advancements in antiretroviral therapy, HIV remains a critical public health concern in the Philippines, with stigma posing a major barrier to care. Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) play a frontline role in delivering health services under the Universal Health Care Law, yet their preparedness for HIV-related care is unclear. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, perceived behaviors, and HIV-related stigma among BHWs in Leyte, a province with a high HIV incidence in Eastern Visayas.Methods\n\nThe study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. A total of 579 BHWs from 17 municipalities were selected using proportionate cluster sampling. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data. The instruments were translated and pilot-tested. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in RStudio.Results\n\nFindings revealed that most BHWs had moderate to high knowledge of HIV transmission and self-protection. However, awareness of ART (mean score: 44.43%) and human rights of PLHIV (mean score: 54.46%) was low. While 58.03% of respondents reported positive attitudes toward PLHIV, 65.46% felt unprepared to care for them. Stigma persisted, with 65.11% showing varying degrees of negative perceptions. Discriminatory behaviors were low overall but present in nearly one-fifth of participants. Most BHWs (95.85%) expressed interest in attending future HIV-related workshops.Conclusion\n\nAlthough BHWs possess foundational HIV knowledge, critical gaps in ART awareness, stigma, and preparedness hinder effective HIV service delivery. The findings underscore the need for targeted capacity-building programs, stigma-reduction training, and multisectoral collaboration to empower BHWs in providing inclusive, evidence-based HIV care. Strengthening community-based interventions can bridge service gaps and promote early detection and treatment, ultimately improving health outcomes in grassroots settings.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of the Philippines Manila-School of Health Sciences, Palo, Leyte, Philippines.",
    "Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology, Agusan del Sur, Philippines.",
    "Department of Statistics, Visayas State University, Leyte, Philippines."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Janet Alexis A De Los Santos"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Charlie C Falguera"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Carmen N Firmo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Flore-Anne C Relente"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Paulo G Batidor"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/eerd0wa9zzhc3.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.47895/amp.v60i15.13566",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13689049",
  "id": "eerd0wa9zzhc3",
  "issns": [
    "0001-6071",
    "2094-9278"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923531",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2725|HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7203718193",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13689049?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13689049",
  "pmid": "42923531",
  "published": "2026-08-15",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/eerd0wa9zzhc3.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:02Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42923531",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923531"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2725|HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions",
      "subfield": "infectious-disease"
    }
  ],
  "title": "HIV Knowledge, Stigma, and Care Preparedness among Barangay Health Workers in Leyte: Implications for Community-based Interventions.",
  "title_text": "HIV Knowledge, Stigma, and Care Preparedness among Barangay Health Workers in Leyte: Implications for Community-based Interventions.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:02Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/eerd0wa9zzhc3",
  "venue": "Acta medica Philippina",
  "versions": []
}