Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]

• Published in: F1000 research Vol. 12; p. 460
• Main Authors: Khalid, Amna, Qaisar, Rizwan, Ahmad, Firdos, Hussain, M. Azhar, Karim, Asima
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England F1000 Research Ltd 2023
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - epidemiology; Adolescent; Adult; AIDS; eng; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Humans; knowledge; Male; Middle Aged; Religion; religions; socio-demographic; Young Adult; religions; socio-demographic; AIDS; HIV; knowledge
• ISSN: 2046-1402; 2046-1402
• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.133585.1

Background: The public knowledge levels about Human Immunodeficiency-Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have been assessed in previous studies; however, time-related trends in association with socio-demographic standards among the followers of major religions in India are not known.
Objectives: We assessed the 2005-06, 2015-16, and 2019-21 demographic and health survey (DHS) data from India to investigate trends in the levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS among Hindus, Muslims, and Christians in relation to standard socio-demographic variables over a period of 16 years.
Methods: The age range of the population was 15-54 years (n=611,821). The HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was assessed by developing a composite index based on ten questions about several aspects of HIV/AIDS, such as the mode of spread. We applied Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests to investigate whether people had heard about HIV/AIDS and their overall HIV knowledge in relation to several socio-demographic standards.
Results: Generally, a higher increase in knowledge level was found between the first and second DHS surveys (2006-2016) as compared to between the second and third DHS surveys (2016-2021). We found the highest increase in the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among Christian men than among Christian women followed by Hindus, whereas Muslims had the least increase over 16 years. Being a female, uneducated, poor, previously married, and having rural residence were associated with the highest increase in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion: Christian men had the highest increase in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge then came Christian women and followers of other religions. We also found the highest increase in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among the poorest, uneducated, and rural residents. Our findings may help formulate public health strategies targeting various less knowledgeable groups to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS.