Abstract
BackgroundGlobally, women share an indiscriminate burden of the HIV epidemic and the associated socioeconomic consequences. Previous studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between levels of HIV knowledge with its prevalence. However, for Bangladesh such evidence is non-existent. In this study, we aimed to explore the extent of HIV knowledge in relation to the socio-demographic variables such as age, region, area of residence i.e., urban or rural, wealth index and education, and investigate the factors influencing the level of HIV knowledge among Bangladeshi women.MethodsWe used data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) survey conducted in 2011. In total 12,512 women ageing between 15 and 49 ever hearing about HIV regardless of HIV status were selected for this study. HIV knowledge level was estimated by analyzing respondents’ answers to a set of 11 basic questions indicative of general awareness and mode of transmission. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and multinominal logistic regression were performed for data analysis.ResultsLittle over half the respondents had good knowledge regarding HIV transmission risks. The mean HIV knowledge score was −0.001 (SD 0.914). Average correct response rate about mode of transmission was higher than for general awareness. Educational level of women and sex of household head were found to be significantly associated with HIV knowledge in the high score group. Those with no education, primary education or secondary education were less likely to be in the high score group for HIV knowledge when compared with those with higher than secondary level of education. Similarly those with male as household head were less likely to be in the higher score group for HIV knowledge.ConclusionsLevel of HIV knowledge among Bangladeshi women is quite low, and the limiting factors are rooted in various demographic and household characteristics. Education and sex of the household head have been found to be significantly correlated with the level of HIV knowledge and propound sound grounds for their incorporation in the future HIV prevention strategies. Education of women may also have wider ramifications allowing reduction in gender inequality, which in turn favors higher knowledge about HIV.
Highlights
Women share an indiscriminate burden of the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic and the associated socioeconomic consequences
We aimed to explore the factors associated with the level of HIV knowledge
Study area, and sampling procedure Data for this study were sourced from the sixth round of Bangladesh Demographic and Health survey (BDHS)
Summary
Women share an indiscriminate burden of the HIV epidemic and the associated socioeconomic consequences. Women in Bangladesh, similar to the current global trend, share a greater risk of HIV infection and mortality compared to men [1]. Apart from greater risk of susceptibility, the consequence of the disease has a heavier onus on women owing to their less advantaged socioeconomic standing and lack of physical and social access to quality care especially sexually and reproductive health (SRH). The 2001 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) declaration marked a renewed call for strengthening policy capacities to address the gender issues related to HIV [6]. The negative impacts of gender inequality on HIV prevention efforts are felt even in developed countries [7] despite the greater socioeconomic freedom among women and presence of gender sensitive health and social policies. Development and advancement of gender and health promotion policies are contingent primarily upon availability of workable insights in which Bangladesh lags significantly behind than expected
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