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HIV-Related Knowledge and Behaviors among People Living with HIV in Eight High HIV Prevalence Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (English) 

Document Type

Analytical Studies

Publication Topic(s)

HIV/AIDS

Country(s)

Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Wang, Wenjuan, Soumya Alva, and Shanxiao Wang. 2012. HIV-Related Knowledge and Behaviors Among People Living with HIV in Eight High HIV Prevalence Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. DHS Analytical Studies No. 29. Calverton, Maryland, USA: ICF International.

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Publication Date

September 2012

Publication ID

AS29

Abstract:

This study uses data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and AIDS Indicator Surveys (AIS) in eight high HIV prevalence countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) to assess HIV-related knowledge and behaviors among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Among the HIV-related knowledge outcomes studied, the largest percentage of HIV- positive men and women are aware of HIV prevention methods and the lowest percentage is for comprehensive knowledge about AIDS. There has been significant improvement, however, in comprehensive knowledge about AIDS and knowledge of PMTCT in countries studied with recent trend data. Overall, there is a strong association between educational attainment and comprehensive knowledge about AIDS among HIV-positive men and women. Women’s education is also positively associated with their knowledge of PMTCT in most countries studied, but not so for men. Over time, prevalence of multiple partnership and higher-risk sex has remained about the same in all five countries studied with data from two surveys. While condom use at last sex has more than doubled in most cases, a large proportion of PLHIV are sexually active and have unprotected sex. Prior HIV testing is common and the testing rates are higher for women than men. Rates of testing and receiving results have increased substantially for both women and men. Contrary to expectations, the study found that engaging in sexual risk behaviors, such as having multiple sexual partners, is not associated with HIV testing uptake.