HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes assessment among women of child-bearing age in South Sudan: Findings from a Household Survey

PLoS One. 2020 Dec 14;15(12):e0243969. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243969. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

This study assessed the determinants that shape HIV knowledge and attitudes among South Sudanese women by analysing a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey collected from 9,061 women in 9,369 households. Generalised linear mixed model regression was performed. Fifty percent of respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS, with 21% and 22% exhibiting good knowledge and positive attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS, respectively. When controlled for individual and community-level variables, younger women (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.01-162), women with primary (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.86-2.58) and secondary (AOR = 4.48; 95% CI: 3.38-5.93) education, and those living in urban areas (AOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.12-1.76) had significantly good knowledge. Women in the richer (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08-2.36) and the richest (AOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.35-3.02) wealth quintiles had significant positive attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. Well-designed social and behavioural campaigns targeting uneducated women and those living in rural and remote settings will enhance knowledge of perceived risk, awareness, and ability to carry out preventive behaviours.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / psychology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Rural Population
  • South Sudan / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.