HIV knowledge and associated factors among young Ethiopians: application of multilevel order logistic regression using the 2016 EDHS

Abstract

Background Human Immunodeficiency virus continues to be a major global health problem infecting 75 million and killing 32 million people since the beginning of the epidemic. It badly hit Sub Saharan Africa than any country in the world and youths are sharing the greatest burden. The study aims to assess the level of HIV-knowledge and its determinants among Ethiopian youths using the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey data. Methods A nationally representative 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data were used. A total of 10,903 youths comprising 6401 females and 4502 males were included in the study. Descriptive statistics and multilevel order logistic regression were used and confidence interval was used to declare statistical significance in the final model. Results The mean age and SD of youths included in this study was 19.10 (±2.82). Among Ethiopian youths, 20.92% (95% CI: 18.91, 23.09%) had low knowledge of HIV whereas, 48.76% (95% CI: 47.12, 50.41%) and 30.31% (95% CI: 28.51, 32.18%) of them had moderate and comprehensive HIV knowledge respectively. Being male, access to TV and radio, ever tested for HIV/AIDS, owning a mobile telephone, and attending primary school and above compared to non-attendants were associated with having higher HIV knowledge. But, dwelling in rural Ethiopia, being in the Protestant and Muslim religious groups as compared to those of Orthodox followers and being in married groups were associated with having lower HIV knowledge. Approximately, 12% of the variation in knowledge of HIV was due to regions. Conclusion Only one-third of Ethiopian youths have deep insight into the disease, whereas, nearly one-fifth of them have lower HIV-knowledge. There is a significant disparity in HIV-related knowledge among Ethiopian youths living in different regions. Rural residents, less educated, female, and married youths have less knowledge of HIV as compared to their counterparts. Youths who do not have a mobile phone, who lack health insurance coverage, and who have limited access to media have less knowledge about HIV. Therefore, the due focus should be given to the aforementioned factors to minimize the disparities between regions and to enhance Ethiopian youths’ HIV-knowledge.

Prevalence and correlates of comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge among adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 years in Malawi: evidence from the 2015–16 Malawi demographic and health survey

“…Women residing in southern and central region were more likely to have comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS compared to women residing in northern region. Our finding agrees with the results of studies conducted in Ethiopia and Uganda which also found variations in comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS among women across the regions of these countries [ 31 , 32 ]. In Malawi, the majority of tertiary education institutions which host many students, mainly young women, are based in central and southern regions other than the northern region.…”

“…In line with similar studies existing in the literature [ 24 , 31 ], the findings of this study show that comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS was significantly correlated with ever been tested for HIV. Young women who ever tested for HIV were more likely to have comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS compared to those who were not tested for HIV.…”

“…The current study found that married young women were less likely to have comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge compared to their never married counterparts. This finding is similar to the results of studies carried out in Ethiopia and Kenya [ 21 , 22 , 31 ]. Plausible explanation for this finding could be that most married young women enter into marriage at an early age before completing their studies.…”

Quality of life of HIV-infected individuals: insights from a study of patients in Kermanshah, Iran

“…Supporting PLWH achieve positive effects in regard to their HRQOL requires understanding its determinants in this population. Studies have recognized a number of factors that are consistently associated with HRQOL among PLWH, including ageing, immunological status, the presence of symptoms, treatment adherence, depression, social support and employment [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Understanding the pathways leading to socioeconomic inequalities in HIV testing uptake in 18 sub-Saharan African countries: a mediation analysis

“…This may mean that attitudes toward PLHIV still plays a major role in explaining HIV testing inequalities regardless of the HIV epidemic in a country. HIV stigma has been well documented to be associated with higher SEP [29,30] and HIV testing uptake in the lifetime [30]. Stigma as an important mediator has implications for HIV testing.…”