Bereket Kefale1, Yitayish Damtie1, Melaku Yalew1, Bezawit Adane2, Mastewal Arefaynie1. 1. Department of Reproductive and Family Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia. 2. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS has been a big public health problem in sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia. Comprehensive knowledge is a basis for the prevention, control and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Several studies were focused only on the individual-level characteristics. However, comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS is a multi-factorial understanding on a different level. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the individual- and community-level factors that determine comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. METHODS: This study used data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). A total of 25,927 (weighted) people aged 15-49 years were included in the study. A two-stage stratified cluster was used. Data were analyzed using Stata version 14. Multilevel mixed effect logistic regression was used to identify predictors of comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS. RESULTS: Various individual- and community-level factors were associated with comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. From individual-level factors such as sex (male), educational status (educated), media exposure, and ever been tested for HIV, and from community-level factors such as place of residence (urban) and region (developed region) were predictors of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION: Both individual- and community-level factors were identified as predictors of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The government should design strategies to address the HIV/AIDS knowledge gaps among women and other underprivileged population sub-groups.
BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS has been a big public health problem in sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia. Comprehensive knowledge is a basis for the prevention, control and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Several studies were focused only on the individual-level characteristics. However, comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS is a multi-factorial understanding on a different level. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the individual- and community-level factors that determine comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. METHODS: This study used data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). A total of 25,927 (weighted) people aged 15-49 years were included in the study. A two-stage stratified cluster was used. Data were analyzed using Stata version 14. Multilevel mixed effect logistic regression was used to identify predictors of comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS. RESULTS: Various individual- and community-level factors were associated with comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. From individual-level factors such as sex (male), educational status (educated), media exposure, and ever been tested for HIV, and from community-level factors such as place of residence (urban) and region (developed region) were predictors of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION: Both individual- and community-level factors were identified as predictors of comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The government should design strategies to address the HIV/AIDS knowledge gaps among women and other underprivileged population sub-groups.