Awareness of STI and HIV among Indian Women: New Evidences from DLHS-4

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important cause of infertility in men and women. Some STIs increase the risk of HIV acquisition and transmission by three-fold or more. In 2011, 12% of females and 6% of males in India reportedly suffered from STIs. The total number of people living with HIV/AIDS in India was estimated at around 20.9 lakh in 2011, 39% of which were women. It is, therefore, important that population, especially women in reproductive age, should be aware of STI/RTI and HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of STI/RTI and HIV/AIDS among ever married women in India and also to highlight their sociodemographic and economic correlates from District Level Household and Facility Survey (DLHS)-4 data. Methodology: Data from 319,695 ever married women aged 15–49 years from 21 states/UTs of India, who participated in the DLHS-4 was considered. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed for analysis. Results: Overall around 25% of women had heard of RTIs/STIs, whereas 66% had heard about HIV/AIDS. Adjusted analysis indicated that all the variables that were considered, viz., type of locality, caste, age, education of women and of their husbands, socioeconomic group, religion, marital status and water resource and toilet facilities used were significantly associated with awareness of STI and HIV. Conclusions: Awareness of STI and HIV is still low among women in India. Comprehensive awareness programs and interventions are needed focusing on women, who are less educated and who are economically disadvantaged.