HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES AMONG WOMEN IN SOUTH SUDAN: SECONDARY DATA ANALYSIS - MULTIPLE INDICATOR CLUSTER SURVEY 2010.

Abstract

HIV/AIDS Knowledge, attitude and practice are basic foundation of prevention and control of AIDS disease at individual and general population level. This study was aimed to assess level of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding HIV/AIDS and factors associated. Study was secondary data analysis based on the UNICEF MICS (multiple indicator cluster survey) of 2010 for South Sudan. Data from 9069 participants were used. Descriptive statistic was used to describe number, percentage, and level of knowledge, attitudes and practices. Binary logistic regression was used to assess association between independent and dependent variables. 46.0% of respondents had never ever heard about AIDS disease, and misconception about transmission methods was observed. Knowledge level regarding HIV/AIDS was low among study group where 63.1% of them were having low knowledge.72.4% of participants expressed negative attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS. Factors associated with safe practices were urban area( OR = 1.6, 95% CI =(1.12-2.17), education level (OR = 1.9, 4.4, 5.3, 95% CI = (1.3-2.8), (2.8-7.0) and (1.4 -19.4), marital status (former married) OR = 1.33, 95%CI = (0.84 -2.1), wealth index levels OR = 1.2, 95% CI = (0.47 – 3.2) , 1.6, 95% CI= (0.61 -3.5), 1.7 , 95% CI =(0.77 – 4.0) and 1.9, 95% CI (0.85 – 4.5), and attitude OR = 1.8 , 95% CI (1.3 – 2.5) and P-value = <0.01.Factors associated with high/moderate knowledge level were residence area (OR = 1.3 95% CI (1.1 -1.4), Education level (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = (1.2 – 1.5), 2.6 95% CI = (1.1 – 6.9), wealth index( OR = 1.2, 95% CI (0.94 – 1.6) , 1.3, 95% CI =(1.0 – 1.7), 1.4, 95% CI = (1.1 -1.8) , 1.5, 95% CI =(1.2 -2.0). and attitude( OR = 1.5, 95% CI =( 1.3 – 1.96) . P-value was < 0.01. Positive attitudes were associated with, residence area(OR = 1.5, 95% CI =(1.3 – 1.7), education level ( OR = 1.7, 95% CI (1.4 – 1.9), 3.1 95% CI (2.4 – 4.0) , 1.6, 95% CI (0.6 – 4.2), former married (OR = 1.4 , 95% CI (1.1 – 1.8), wealth index(OR = 1.4, 95% CI(1.0 – 2.0) , 2.0, 95% CI(1.5 – 2.7), 2.2, 95% CI(1.7 – 3.0), 2.5, 95% CI(1.9 – 3.4) , practices( OR = 1.8, 95% CI (1.3 – 2.5) and knowledge level(OR = 1.5, 95% CI(1.3 – 1.7) . P-value was < 0.01. Majority of study group were having low knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and negative attitude and risky practices. Therefore, policy and intervention reinforcement is needed.