Assessment of Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and Association With Socioeconomic Disparities Among Young Women in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, 2003 to 2018

This cross-sectional study provides an up-to-date assessment of the levels of and changes in knowledge of HIV/AIDs and its association with socioeconomic disparity among young women in low- and middle-income countries. Importance Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among the younger population is crucial for long-term control. Little research has been done on which groups of young women (aged 15-24 years) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have been left behind with respect to obtaining this knowledge. Objective To provide an up-to-date assessment of the levels of and changes in knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its associations with socioeconomic disparity among young women in LMICs. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys with available data on HIV/AIDS knowledge in 51 LMICs between 2003 and 2018. The final data set contained 282 757 young women. For 40 LMICs with multiple surveys available, we examined changes in knowledge and socioeconomic disparities. Analyses of the survey data were conducted between December 1, 2019, and July 31, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures The percentage of young women who were able to (1) correctly identify the 2 major ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, (2) reject the 2 most common local misconceptions about HIV transmission and (3) know that a healthy-looking person can transmit HIV. The level of and changes in young women's knowledge of HIV/AIDS as well as knowledge disparities by residential area, wealth status, and level of education on the aggregate and country levels were assessed. Results Of a total of 282 757 young women from 51 LMICs, 29.3% (95% CI, 24.1% to 34.5%) reported having knowledge of HIV/AIDS in the latest years, ranging from 1.0% (95% CI, 0.7% to 1.3%) in Afghanistan in 2015 to 64.9% (95% CI, 63.3% to 66.5%) in Rwanda in 2014 to 2015. Those living in rural areas, living in households in the lowest income quintile, or with low levels of education reported less knowledge about HIV/AIDS than their counterparts (-12.8 [95% CI, -10.6 to -14.9] percentage points; -21.8 [95% CI, -18.3 to -25.3] percentage points; and -19.4 [95% CI, -16.6 to -22.2] percentage points, respectively). Among the 40 countries that had undertaken at least 2 surveys during the period, the surveys indicated that there was a significant increase in knowledge of HIV/AIDS among young women in 24 countries (60.0%), but a significant decrease in 10 countries (25.0%). Less than half of countries experienced significant reductions in disparities associated with residential area (8 countries [20.0%]), wealth (5 countries [12.5%]), or education (17 countries [42.5%]). Conclusions and Relevance This cross-sectional study of women in 51 LMICs found low levels and large gaps in knowledge of HIV/AIDS between groups, suggesting that future HIV-prevention campaigns should emphasize providing easily accessible information to socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Question How have knowledge of HIV/AIDS and associated socioeconomic disparities changed between 2003 and 2018 among young women aged 15 to 24 years living in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs)? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 282 757 young women living in 51 LMICs, less than one-third reported having correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS; this disparity in knowledge was associated with rural residence, poverty, and low levels of education. Among young women living in the 40 LMICs with multiple surveys available during the study period, there was a significant increase in knowledge in 24 countries and a significant decrease in 10 countries. Meaning These findings suggest that future HIV-prevention campaigns in LMICs should pay special attention to young women with disadvantaged socioeconomic status.

Automated summary

This cross-sectional study of 282,757 young women in 51 LMICs found that less than one-third had correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS, with disparities associated with rural residence, poverty, and low education levels. Among young women in 40 LMICs with multiple surveys, there was a significant increase in knowledge in 24 countries and a significant decrease in 10 countries. These findings suggest that future HIV prevention campaigns in LMICs should focus on young women with disadvantaged socioeconomic status.