Awareness of HIV among Bangladeshi women: evidence from the MICS dataset.

Abstract

Bangladesh exhibits a low prevalence of HIV; however, socioeconomic and gender disparities contribute to an increased vulnerability among women, primarily due to limited awareness of transmission methods, preventive measures, and testing services. This study employs data from the Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019, utilizing descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression analyses to examine the influence of socio-demographic factors, educational attainment, and media exposure on HIV awareness. The findings indicate a moderate level of awareness, albeit accompanied by widespread misconceptions; only 27.5% of women knew where to access testing services. Women residing in urban areas, possessing higher education levels, belonging to wealthier households, and with media exposure demonstrated significantly higher awareness levels. Disparities are evident across different regions, notably in Barishal and Mymensingh. Futhermore, women with higher secondary education exhibited a 17.5-fold increase in HIV knowledge compared to those with primary education. The study underscores the importance of targeted educational initiatives, media campaigns, and enhanced testing acessibility, particularly in underserved regions, to improve awareness and mitigate stigma.