Knowledge on AIDS among female adolescents in Bangladesh: evidence from the Bangladesh demographic and health survey data
Khan, M.Asaduzzaman.
Journal of Health Population and Nutrition 20(2): 130-137
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 1606-0997 PMID: 12186193 DOI: 10.2307/23498934Document Number: 243666
To assess the knowledge on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) among female adolescents in Bangladesh, this study used data extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 1996-97. Of 1446 ever-married women (aged 10-19 years) included in the study, most were currently married (96%), Muslims (92%) and from rural areas (91%). Only one in 6 adolescents had ever heard of AIDS. Of them, 57% reported AIDS as a fatal disease almost always, while only 22% believed that AIDS could be avoided. Multivariate analysis revealed that knowledge on AIDS was strongly and positively associated with education of female adolescents and their husbands and varied significantly across different parts of the country. Knowledge on AIDS was higher among relatively older and urban residents who had access to television or radio and whose husbands were using condom. Strong efforts are needed to improve awareness and to clarify misconceptions about AIDS. Improved access to education, mass media and promotion of condom use could prevent AIDS among female adolescents in Bangladesh.