The DHS Program

Changes in HIV-Related Knowledge and Behaviors in Sub-Saharan Africa (English) 

Document Type

Comparative Reports

Publication Topic(s)

Education, HIV/AIDS, Wealth/Socioeconomics

Country(s)

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Mishra, Vinod, Praween Agrawal, Soumya Alva, Yuan Gu, and Shanxiao Wang. 2009. Changes in HIV-related Knowledge and Behaviors in Sub-Saharan Africa. DHS Comparative Reports No. 24. Calverton, Maryland, USA: ICF Macro.

Download Citation

RIS format / Text format / Endnote format

Publication Date

September 2009

Publication ID

CR24

Abstract:

The report summarizes levels and recent changes in 69 indicators of HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of women and men age 15–49 in 23 countries in sub- Saharan Africa. Data come from the two most recent rounds of population-based, nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 1992 and 2006. The study provides a comprehensive look at the levels and direction of many important HIV/AIDS-related indicators in sub-Saharan countries. Notably, the study finds evidence of improvements in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes but also highlights persistent high levels of sexual risk-taking and very low levels of voluntary counseling and testing coverage and condom use. These findings make a case for strengthening prevention programs in sub-Saharan Africa with a range of efforts to promote safer sexual behavior. The study also highlights large differentials between women and men in a number of HIV- related indicators, and wide variations among the 23 countries studied in the levels of and recent changes in HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. These differences suggest the need for HIV prevention, treatment, and care policies and programs to be gender and context specific.