Consciousness about HIV/AIDS and STIs among women in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Hossain, Mosharaf, Mat Min, Ruhani, K. C. Mani, Kulanthayan
• Format: Article
• Published: Teikyo University School of Medicine 2021
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/96510/; https://www.teikyomedicaljournal.com/article/consciousness-about-hivaids-and-stis-among-women-in-bangladesh-a-cross-sectional-study

Consciousness about HIV/AIDS and STIs has become one of today major challenges. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with awareness about HIV/AIDS and STDs among women in Bangladesh. To conduct this cross-sectional study, data were gathered from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2014. The total number of women participants was 17,684 from seven divisions of Bangladesh: Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna, and Sylhet. The prevalence of consciousness about HIV/AIDS and STIs among women in Bangladesh is 50.1% and 51.2%, respectively. The 2 test showed that the respondent’s age, place of residence, educational level, geographical difference, socio-economic status, radio, and television had a significant association with consciousness about HIV/AIDS and STIs. The multiple logistic regressions identified the risk factors – age of respondents, place of residence, educational level, socioeconomic status, geographical difference, listening to the radio, and watching television (TV) – with the consciousness among women in Bangladesh about HIV/AIDS and STIs. It is essential to increase the educational programmes concerning HIV/AIDS and STIs for rural areas in Bangladesh, especially for the younger women (<25 years). Radio and television play significant roles in increasing consciousness regarding HIV/AIDS and STIs in the rural areas of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Government should consider including information about HIV/AIDS and STIs in primary and secondary school textbooks.