HIV transmission knowledge among Rohingya refugee women in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional survey.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background and objective
Increasing numbers of Rohingya refugees have been found to be infected with HIV since they arrived in Bangladesh after being ousted from Myanmar in 2017. This study aimed to examine the knowledge about HIV transmission among Rohingya refugee women and to identify factors that are associated with that knowledge.Design
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire that was based on the standard questionnaire of the Demographic and Health Survey programme.Setting
Rohingya settlements in the Kutupalong refugee camp at Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.Participants
Interviews were conducted with 508 women who had married or given birth in the 2 years before the survey was done.Outcome measure
The participants were asked to answer a set of questions to assess their knowledge about HIV transmission.Results
Around 70% of the women could not accurately answer four of the eight questions, and there were substantial misconceptions about the modes of HIV transmission. Knowledge regarding HIV transmission among participants increases in conjunction with the age at which they were first married. Women who were involved in work outside their households or those whose husbands were employed were more likely than others to demonstrate relatively good knowledge of transmission. Women who had received some formal education were 2.37 times likely to show relatively good knowledge of HIV transmission than those who had not received any education. Availability of healthcare facilities in the blocks where women resided is also associated with better knowledge. However, knowledge of HIV transmission among Rohingya women was significantly lower than among women in Bangladesh and Myanmar.Conclusion
Most Rohingya women have inadequate knowledge of HIV transmission. Targeted interventions are needed to provide HIV education and to assist with prevention and behavioural changes.
SUBMITTER: Khan MN
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8488728 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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| S-EPMC7108688 | biostudies-literature
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| S-EPMC9200329 | biostudies-literature
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| S-EPMC10305886 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundSeveral vaccines have been approved for use against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and distributed globally in different regions. However, general community knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccinations are poorly understood. Thus, the study aimed to investigate community knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccinations in Bangladesh.MethodsAn exploratory and anonymous population-based e-survey was conducted among 1658 general individuals (55.6% male; mean age = 23.17 ± 6.05 years; age range = 18-65 years). The survey was conducted using a semi-structured and self-reported questionnaire containing informed consent along with four sections (i.e., socio-demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions). Multiple linear regression was performed to determine the variables predicting knowledge, and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccinations.ResultsThe mean scores of knowledge and attitudes were 2.83 ± 1.48 (out of 5) and 9.34 ± 2.39 (out of 12) respectively. About a quarter of participants thought that the COVID-19 vaccination available in Bangladesh is safe, only 60% will have the vaccination and about two-thirds will recommend it to family and friends. In the multiple regression model, higher SES, having university/ higher levels of education, having nuclear families and having previous history of essential vaccines uptake were associated with knowledge; whilst attitudes were significantly associated with being female and having previous history of essential vaccines uptake. Just over half of the participants thought that everyone should be vaccinated and 61% responded that health workers should be vaccinated first on priority basis. 95% of respondents believed the vaccine should be administered free of charge in Bangladesh and almost 90% believed that the COVID-19 vaccine used in Bangladesh may have side effects.ConclusionsThe findings reflect inadequate knowledge but more positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine among the general population in Bangladesh. In order to improve knowledge, immediate health education programs need to be initiated before mass vaccination are scheduled.
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Project description:BackgroundThe world has been grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, a dire public health crisis, since December 2019. Preventive and control measures have been adopted to reduce the spread of COVID-19. To date, the public's knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 across Bangladesh have been poorly understood. Therefore, it is important to assess people's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward the disease and suggest appropriate strategies to combat COVID-19 effectively.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the KAP of Bangladeshi people toward COVID-19 and to identify their determinants.MethodsWe conducted a country-wide cross-sectional telephonic survey from May 7 to 29, 2020. A purposive sampling method was applied, and adult Bangladeshi citizens who have mobile phones were approached to participate in the survey. Interviews were conducted based on verbal consent. Multiple logistic regression analyses and several tests were performed to identify the factors associated with KAP related to COVID-19.ResultsA total of 492 of 576 Bangladeshi adults aged 18 years and above completed the interview, with a response rate of 85.4% (492/576). Of the 492 participants, 321 (65.2%) were male, and 304 (61.8%) lived in a rural area. Mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 10.56 (SD 2.86), 1.24 (SD 0.83), and 3.17 (SD 1.5), respectively. Among the 492 respondents, 273 (55.5%) had poor knowledge, and 251 (49%) expressed a negative attitude; 192 out of 359 respondents (53.5%) had poor practices toward COVID-19. Mean scores of knowledge, attitudes, and practices differed significantly across various demographic and socioeconomic groups. Rural residents had lower mean scores of knowledge (mean 9.8, SD 3.1, P<.001) and adherence to appropriate practice measures (mean 4, SD 1.4, P<.001) compared to their urban counterparts. Positive and statistically strong correlations between knowledge and attitudes (r=0.21, P<.001), knowledge and practices (r=0.45, P<.001), and attitudes and practices (r=0.27, P<.001) were observed. Television (53.7%) was identified as the major source of knowledge regarding COVID-19. Almost three-quarters of the respondents (359/492, 73%) went outside the home during the lockdown period. Furthermore, the study found that good knowledge (odds ratio [OR] 3.13, 95% CI 2.03-4.83, and adjusted OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.16-4.68) and a positive attitude (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.59-3.72, and adjusted OR 3.87, 95% CI 1.95-7.68) are significantly associated with better practice of COVID-19 health measures.ConclusionsEvidence-informed and context-specific risk communication and community engagement, and a social and behavior change communication strategy against COVID-19 should be developed in Bangladesh based on the findings of this study, targeting different socioeconomic groups.
| S-EPMC8575001 | biostudies-literature
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