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Knowledge and attitude of HIV/AIDS among women in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yaya S, Ghose B, Udenigwe O, Shah V, Hudani A, and Ekholuenetale M
Source: European Journal of Public Health, Online first; DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky131
Topic(s): HIV/AIDS
Country: Africa
  Nigeria
Published: JUL 2018
Abstract: Background: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is one of the world's most serious public health and social problems. Promoting knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS is a key strategy to control the prevalence of this growing epidemic. This study aimed to measure knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS along with the factors of association Nigerian women. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the 2013 Demographic Health Survey (DHS) conducted among community dwelling women in Nigeria. A set of 13 questions was identified relevant to knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS. Each correct answer was scored as 1 and wrong answer as '0'. Normality of the variables was examined using Shapiro-Wilks tests. The socioeconomic and community factors associated with HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude were examined by linear regression with dummy variables model. Results: Means score (SD) on knowledge of transmission was 6.4 (2.0) and that for attitude was 2.1 (1.2). In the regression models, knowledge and attitude of HIV/AIDS were positively associated with survey years and respondents' age; geographical region was significantly associated with HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude; rural respondents had significant reduction in knowledge [Exp(B)=0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.83-0.89] and positive attitude to HIV/AIDS [Exp(B)=0.91; 95% CI=0.89-0.93] compared with the urban counterpart, respectively. Conclusion: Findings of the present study suggested that women's knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS in Nigeria needs more attention to attain the global target to end its epidemics and other communicable diseases by 2030.