Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
Background The public knowledge levels about Human Immunodeficiency-Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have been assessed in previous studies; however, time-related trends in association with socio-demographic standards among the followers of major religions in India are not known....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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F1000 Research Ltd
2023-11-01
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| Series: | F1000Research |
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| Online Access: | https://f1000research.com/articles/12-460/v2 |
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| author | Amna Khalid Rizwan Qaisar Asima Karim M. Azhar Hussain Firdos Ahmad |
| author_facet | Amna Khalid Rizwan Qaisar Asima Karim M. Azhar Hussain Firdos Ahmad |
| author_sort | Amna Khalid |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background The public knowledge levels about Human Immunodeficiency-Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have been assessed in previous studies; however, time-related trends in association with socio-demographic standards among the followers of major religions in India are not known. Objectives We assessed the 2005-06, 2015-16, and 2019-21 demographic and health survey (DHS) data from India to investigate trends in the levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS among Hindus, Muslims, and Christians in relation to standard socio-demographic variables over a period of 16 years. Methods The age range of the population was 15-54 years (n=611,821). The HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was assessed by developing a composite index based on ten questions about several aspects of HIV/AIDS, such as the mode of spread. We applied Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests to investigate whether people had heard about HIV/AIDS and their overall HIV knowledge in relation to several socio-demographic standards. Results Generally, a higher increase in knowledge level was found between the first and second DHS surveys (2006-2016) as compared to between the second and third DHS surveys (2016-2021). We found the highest increase in the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among Christian women followed by Hindus, whereas Muslims had the least increase over 16 years. Being a female, uneducated, poor, previously married, or having rural residence were associated with the highest increase in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Conclusion Christian women had the highest increase in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge then came Christian men and followers of other religions. We also found the highest increase in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among the poorest, uneducated, and rural residents. Our findings may help formulate public health strategies targeting various less knowledgeable groups to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:31:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7d644053c85c44e7adbfff2d3d8cc75a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2046-1402 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:31:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
| record_format | Article |
| series | F1000Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-7d644053c85c44e7adbfff2d3d8cc75a2023-11-28T01:00:04ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022023-11-0112158034Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Amna Khalid0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2042-6773Rizwan Qaisar1Asima Karim2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6288-0686M. Azhar Hussain3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7928-7136Firdos Ahmad4Health Promotion Research Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab EmiratesCardiovascular Research Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab EmiratesBasic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Finance and Economics, College of Business Administration, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab EmiratesCardiovascular Research Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab EmiratesBackground The public knowledge levels about Human Immunodeficiency-Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have been assessed in previous studies; however, time-related trends in association with socio-demographic standards among the followers of major religions in India are not known. Objectives We assessed the 2005-06, 2015-16, and 2019-21 demographic and health survey (DHS) data from India to investigate trends in the levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS among Hindus, Muslims, and Christians in relation to standard socio-demographic variables over a period of 16 years. Methods The age range of the population was 15-54 years (n=611,821). The HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was assessed by developing a composite index based on ten questions about several aspects of HIV/AIDS, such as the mode of spread. We applied Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests to investigate whether people had heard about HIV/AIDS and their overall HIV knowledge in relation to several socio-demographic standards. Results Generally, a higher increase in knowledge level was found between the first and second DHS surveys (2006-2016) as compared to between the second and third DHS surveys (2016-2021). We found the highest increase in the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among Christian women followed by Hindus, whereas Muslims had the least increase over 16 years. Being a female, uneducated, poor, previously married, or having rural residence were associated with the highest increase in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Conclusion Christian women had the highest increase in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge then came Christian men and followers of other religions. We also found the highest increase in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among the poorest, uneducated, and rural residents. Our findings may help formulate public health strategies targeting various less knowledgeable groups to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS.https://f1000research.com/articles/12-460/v2HIV AIDS knowledge religions socio-demographiceng |
| spellingShingle | Amna Khalid Rizwan Qaisar Asima Karim M. Azhar Hussain Firdos Ahmad Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] F1000Research HIV AIDS knowledge religions socio-demographic eng |
| title | Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | time related changes in the knowledge of hiv aids among followers of various religions in india version 2 peer review 2 approved |
| topic | HIV AIDS knowledge religions socio-demographic eng |
| url | https://f1000research.com/articles/12-460/v2 |
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