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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome | Research

Comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS and associated factors among reproductive age women in Liberia

Authors: Beminate Lemma Seifu, Gilbert Eshun, Getayeneh Antehunegn Tesema, Frank Kyei-Arthur

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Introduction

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) continues to be a deadly pandemic and a serious threat to public health. Globally, reproductive age women are more likely to be infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS is pivotal in the fight against AIDS. However, comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge is low in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) nations including Liberia, which contributes to the high incidence of HIV in these nations. This study assessed the level of comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its associated factors among reproductive age women in Liberia.

Methods

The prevalence and associated factors of comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS among reproductive age women in Liberia were determined using secondary data analysis of 2019–2020 Liberia Demographic and Health Surveys (LDHS). Comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS was a composite variable computed from six variables available in the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The study included 7,621 reproductive age women in weighted samples. A generalized linear mixed model with robust error variance was used. For the variables included in the final model, adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Results

The prevalence of comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge among Liberian women aged 15–49 was 33.5%. Women’s age and education, and distance to health facility were positively associated with comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS among Liberian reproductive age women. In contrast, community poverty level was negatively associated with comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

Conclusion and recommendations

This study demonstrates that the prevalence of good comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge was relatively low among reproductive age women in Liberia. Hence, health practitioners and policymakers should strengthen HIV/AIDS sensitization programmes to increase women’s knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

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Title: Comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS and associated factors among reproductive age women in Liberia
Authors: Beminate Lemma Seifu
Gilbert Eshun
Getayeneh Antehunegn Tesema
Frank Kyei-Arthur
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18105-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS and associated factors among reproductive age women in Liberia

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion and recommendations

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion and recommendations

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