Emotional Intelligence and Attitudes Toward HIV/AIDS Patients Among Healthcare Professionals in the State of Qatar

Abstract

The attitudes of health care professionals at medical centers in the State of Qatar toward HIV/AIDS patients and the relation of those attitudes to emotional intelligence (EI) were the focus of this study. Nine hundred seventy-nine health care professionals (nurses, physicians, and laboratory technicians) from 4 hospitals completed 2 self-report questionnaires, the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal and the KHWAR Hospitals’ Scale, and provided demographic data. The majority of health care professionals held mostly positive attitudes toward HIV/AIDS patients. Health care professionals with more years of work experience and more contact with HIV/AIDS patients held more favorable attitudes. The correlation between health care professionals’ attitudes and their EI was significant, but modest, .29. The discussion evaluates the findings in light of the available literature and stresses the need to address discriminatory practices and promote positive attitudes toward HIV/AIDS patients.