Extent of Knowledge about HIV and Its Determinants among Men in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is currently a low human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalent country. However, the risk factors are widespread and the number of at-risk population is also rising, which warrants special policy attention. The risks of transmission were shown to be correlated with the level of HIV knowledge of individuals. In this study, we aimed to explore the level and influencing factors of HIV knowledge among adult men in Bangladesh.

Data for the present study were collected from the sixth round of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Participants were 3305 men between 15 and 54 years of age regardless of HIV status. The primary outcome variable was the HIV knowledge score, which was calculated by responses to questions regarding general concepts and the mode of transmission of HIV. Association between the HIV knowledge score and the explanatory variables were analyzed by binary logistic regression methods.

The mean HIV knowledge score was 7.2 (SD 1.3). Results indicate that being an urban resident [p < 0.001; odds ratios (OR) = 0.56, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.48-0.64], having secondary/higher educational level (p < 0.001 OR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.48-0.64), reading newspaper [p = 0.006; OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.62-0.92], and communication with community health workers (CHWs) (p = 0.05; OR = 0.77, 95%CI = 0.60-10.00) were significantly associated with a high (equal or above mean value) HIV knowledge level.

The level of HIV knowledge among Bangladeshi men is low. Leveraging HIV awareness programs targeting adult men to prevent future expansion of the epidemic should be a high priority. Revitalization and restructuring of the education sector and strengthening CHW's engagement to improve knowledge about HIV transmission among men could generate beneficial returns for HIV prevention programs.