HIV-related knowledge and attitudes among Indonesian prison officers.
PURPOSE
Prison officers have a vital role in running a secure and healthy living environment for the inmates. The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitude towards inmates living with HIV among the officers in an Indonesian narcotics prison.


DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
A total of 93 officers from a narcotics prison in Bandung, Indonesia voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study by completing a self-reported questionnaire. A Prior focus group discussion was also held among selected participants.


FINDINGS
Statistical data analyses indicate that all domains of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, i.e. knowledge of HIV-transmission, general HIV/AIDS knowledge and knowledge of HIV-prevention, have substantial positive correlations with the prison officers' attitude towards inmates living with HIV. These results show that the more knowledgeable the officers are, the less likely they are to respond in an unfavourable manner to inmates living with HIV and vice versa.


RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS
Despite the limited participants involved in this study, the knowledge gaps that are identified in this study should be the starting point for the development of educational interventions for prison officers.


PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
Sufficient educational programs and the latest materials need to be made available within the prison.


SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Commitment from prison authorities as well as a proper policy are also needed.


ORIGINALITY/VALUE
This study helped prison authorities to identify areas for knowledge development of the officers. Hopefully the positive attitude towards inmates living with HIV will be developed.
['Hinduan|Zahrotur R|ZR|', 'Suherman|Harry|H|', 'Pinxten|W J Lucas|WJ|', 'Alisjahbana|Bachti|B|', 'Hospers|Harm J|HJ|']
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D015658:HIV Infections D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D006801:Humans D007214:Indonesia D011329:Prisoners D011330:Prisons D011361:Professional Competence D011369:Professional-Patient Relations D012307:Risk Factors D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Knowledge Attitudes Prison officers Prisons Inmates HIV/AIDS Prison service