HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes among adult residents of the United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional study
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- 2Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Jefferson Abington Hospital, Abington, United States of America
- 4School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Abstract
Background: HIV-related stigma remains a significant barrier to prevention and treatment efforts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This study assessed HIV knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes among United Arab Emirates (UAE) residents. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted across the UAE between January and March 2025. A total of 1,211 eligible adult residents were recruited through convenience sampling. Demographic analyses included all 1,211 participants, while HIV knowledge and stigma analyses included 1,171 participants with analyzable outcome data. The questionnaire assessed demographics, HIV transmission knowledge, and stigmatizing attitudes using the Stigmatizing Attitudes Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS Scale (SAT-PLWHA-S). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression. Results: Among the 1,211 participants included in the study, 1,171 contributed analyzable data to the HIV knowledge and stigma analyses. While 96.4% had heard of HIV/AIDS and demonstrated moderately high transmission knowledge (mean score: 75.5%), significant misconceptions persisted, particularly regarding condom effectiveness (60.5% overestimated risk). Strong stigmatizing attitudes emerged, especially regarding criminalization of transmission (79.6% support) and moralistic views. Higher knowledge correlated with less stigma (r = 0.347, p < 0.001), though nationality, language preference, and knowing someone with HIV were stronger predictors. Only 6.2% knew someone with HIV. Conclusions: Despite adequate basic knowledge, significant HIV-related stigma persists in the UAE, driven by cultural and moral perspectives. Comprehensive interventions combining education, contact-based strategies, and policy reform are needed to reduce stigma and improve HIV prevention outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{barqawi2026hivaids,
title = {{HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes among adult residents of the United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional study}},
author = {Hiba Jawdat Barqawi and Kamel A. Samara and Abdul Rahman Sheiko and Mohamed Alhariri and Moustafa Saber Mashal and Amal Abu Helwa and Eman Abu-Gharbieh},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0362376},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0362376},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes among adult residents of the United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional study
AU - Hiba Jawdat Barqawi
AU - Kamel A. Samara
AU - Abdul Rahman Sheiko
AU - Mohamed Alhariri
AU - Moustafa Saber Mashal
AU - Amal Abu Helwa
AU - Eman Abu-Gharbieh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0362376
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0362376
AB - Background: HIV-related stigma remains a significant barrier to prevention and treatment efforts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This study assessed HIV knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes among United Arab Emirates (UAE) residents. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted across the UAE between January and March 2025. A total of 1,211 eligible adult residents were recruited through convenience sampling. Demographic analyses included all 1,211 participants, while HIV knowledge and stigma analyses included 1,171 participants with analyzable outcome data. The questionnaire assessed demographics, HIV transmission knowledge, and stigmatizing attitudes using the Stigmatizing Attitudes Towards People Living with HIV/AIDS Scale (SAT-PLWHA-S). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression. Results: Among the 1,211 participants included in the study, 1,171 contributed analyzable data to the HIV knowledge and stigma analyses. While 96.4% had heard of HIV/AIDS and demonstrated moderately high transmission knowledge (mean score: 75.5%), significant misconceptions persisted, particularly regarding condom effectiveness (60.5% overestimated risk). Strong stigmatizing attitudes emerged, especially regarding criminalization of transmission (79.6% support) and moralistic views. Higher knowledge correlated with less stigma (r = 0.347, p < 0.001), though nationality, language preference, and knowing someone with HIV were stronger predictors. Only 6.2% knew someone with HIV. Conclusions: Despite adequate basic knowledge, significant HIV-related stigma persists in the UAE, driven by cultural and moral perspectives. Comprehensive interventions combining education, contact-based strategies, and policy reform are needed to reduce stigma and improve HIV prevention outcomes.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -