Authors : Ernesto De Fátima; Avelino Guterres Correia; Leonardo Ximenes; Cipriano Do Rosário Pacheco

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 7 - July

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2mwnnvdf

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jul132

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.

Abstract : Introduction: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) remains a significant global health challenge, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. In Timor-Leste, the National Police play a crucial role in public health. However, their knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS prevention are not well understood. This research focuses on the Command of the Special Police Unit in Bairro-Pite, aiming to assess the current state of awareness and perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS among police personnel.  Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitudes of the Timor-Leste National Police regarding HIV/AIDS prevention. Specifically, it seeks to explore the correlation between knowledge and attitudes and how these factors influence preventive behaviours within the police force.  Research Method: This quantitative study utilizes a cross-sectional design, surveying 61 police personnel selected through simple random sampling from a population of 713. Data were collected through structured questionnaires that assessed knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS prevention. Statistical analyses, including univariate and bivariate analyses, were performed using the Chi-squared test to identify significant relationships between variables.  Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that 44.3% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention, while 55.7% exhibited poor knowledge. Attitudinally, only 36.1% had a positive attitude towards prevention efforts. The Chi-Square test revealed significant correlations between knowledge and attitudes, and preventive behaviours, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions. The results suggest a gap between awareness and action, emphasizing the importance of practical training and awareness campaigns.  Conclusion: The study underscores the necessity for enhanced collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Timor-Leste National Police to implement effective training programs. Addressing negative attitudes and fostering a culture of health consciousness is crucial for improving preventive measures against HIV/AIDS. These initiatives are vital not only for police personnel but also for the broader community, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes in Timor-Leste.

Keywords : Hiv/Aids, Timor-Leste, National Police, Knowledge, Attitudes, Prevention, Public Health.

References :

1. Adelekan, M. L., & Osungbade, K. O. (2020). "Impact of Knowledge on Attitudes and Practices Related to HIV/AIDS Among Health Care Workers in Nigeria." African Journal of Reproductive Health, 24(1), 45-57.
2. Bennett, A. L., Smith, T., & Davidson, P. (2017). Understanding the Relationship Between Attitudes and Behaviour in HIV Prevention. Journal of Health Communication, 22(10), 801-810.
3. Bhowmik, A., & Saha, B. (2021). "HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Attitude Among Police Personnel in India: A Qualitative Assessment." Global Health Action, 14(1), 1960325. https://doi:10.1080/16549716.2021.1960325
4. Brown, L. (2021). Evaluating Health Strategies: The Importance of Ongoing Assessments. Journal of Public Health, 45(2), 123-135.
5. Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). HIV Basics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html
8. Clark, M. (2019). Attitudes Toward HIV Prevention: Motivating Change Among Healthcare Workers. Global Health Journal, 12(3), 88-95.
9. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
10. Duncan, J., & Rouse, D. (2019). "Relationship Between Health Knowledge and Attitudes Towards HIV Prevention Among Young Adults." American Journal of Public Health, 109(5), 789-796. https://doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304806
11. Fenton, K. A., et al. (2016). Myths and Misconceptions About HIV Prevention. The Lancet HIV, 3(8), e369-e370.
12. Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics. 4th ed. London: Sage Publications.
13. Fowler, F. J. (2014). Survey Research Methods (5th ed.). Sage Publications..
14. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). (2021). Global AIDS Update 2021: Confronting inequalities. Retrieved from https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2021/global-aids-update
15. Kumar, A., & Gupta, R. (2023). "The Relationship Between Attitude and Behavior in Implementing HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategies." International Journal of Health Sciences, 17(2), 456-465. https://doi:10.5535/ijhs.2023.456
16. Lee, R., Johnson, A., & Patterson, T. (2021). Barriers to Effective HIV Prevention: Addressing Negative Attitudes in Communities. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 45(7), 321-330.
17. Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. Jossey-Bass.
18. Meyer, I. H., & Pies, C. (2019). The Role of Feedback Mechanisms in HIV Prevention Strategies. American Journal of Public Health, 109(6), 745-752.
19. Ministry of Health Timor-Leste. (2023). National Health Sector Strategic Plan. Timor-Leste
20. Ministry of Health. (2024). HIV/AIDS Statistics Report. Dili, Timor-Leste.
21. Moges, S. K., & Gebretinsaye, G. (2022). "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Students in Ethiopia." BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1234. https://doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13456-4
22. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). HIV/AIDS: Overview. Retrieved from https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/hivaids
23. Roberts, S. (2020). Policy Implications in HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategies. Health Policy Review, 17(4), 211-228.
24. Smith, J., & Jones, K. (2020). Knowledge and Behavioural Change in HIV/AIDS Prevention. American Journal of Public Health, 110(5), 672-678.
25. Sugiyono (2007). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif Kualitatif dan R&D. Bandung: Alfabeta. 
26. Sugiyono (2015). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, dan R&D. Bandung: Alfabeta.
27. Taylor, F., Anderson, M., & Phillips, D. (2022). From Knowledge to Action: Effective Strategies for HIV Prevention. Journal of Epidemiology, 54(6), 400-412.
28. Timor-Leste National AIDS Commission. (2012). National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from https://www.tl.undp.org/content/timorleste/en/home/library/hiv_aids/national-strategic-plan-for-hiv-aids.html
29. UNAIDS (2021). Global HIV & AIDS statistics — Fact sheet. Retrieved from [UNAIDS]https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet
30. UNAIDS. (2019). Global AIDS Update 2019: Communities at the Center. Geneva: UNAIDS.
31. UNAIDS. (2022). Global AIDS Update 2022: Confronting inequalities.
32. UNESCO. (2021). Education Responses to HIV and AIDS: A Study in Timor-Leste.
33. UNICEF. (2021). Education in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Opportunities.
34. UNICEF. (2023). Health Challenges in Timor-Leste. Retrieved from [UNICEF website]
35. Weinhardt, L. S., et al. (2016). Effect of Attitudes on HIV Preventive Behavior. AIDS and Behavior, 20(2), 320-329.
36. White, P., & Green, T. (2023). Enhancing Public Health Outcomes: The Role of Police Units in HIV Prevention. Public Health and Safety, 29(1), 55-70.
37. (2020). HIV/AIDS: Key facts. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids
38. World Health Organization. (2011). Global HIV/AIDS response: Epidemic update and health sector progress towards Universal Access. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/global-hiv-aids-response-epidemic-update-and-health-sector-progress-towards-universal-access
39. World Health Organization. (2016). Antiretroviral therapy to prevent HIV transmission in persons living with HIV. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/hiv/pub/guidelines/arv2016/en/
40. World Health Organization. (2020). HIV Prevention: A Global Priority. WHO Press.
41. World Health Organization. (2022). HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids
42. World Health Organization. (2023). Fact sheet: HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids
43. World Health Organization. (2023). Social Determinants of Health in Timor-Leste. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
44. Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications.