TY - JOUR
T1 - Individual-, household-, and community-level factors associated with pregnant married women's discriminatory attitude towards people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A multicountry cross-sectional study
AU - ZEGEYE, Betregiorgis
AU - ADJEI, Nicholas Kofi
AU - AHINKORAH, Bright Opoku
AU - AMEYAW, Edward Kwabena
AU - BUDU, Eugene
AU - SEIDU, Abdul Aziz
AU - YAYA, Sanni
N1 - The authors thank the MEASURE DHS project for their support and for free access to the original data.
PY - 2021/12
Y1 - 2021/12
N2 - Background
and AimsDiscriminatory attitude towards people
living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major problem in the
prevention and treatment of HIV in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Understanding the
multiple factors linked to discriminatory attitude towards people living with
HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in SSA is necessary for developing appropriate interventions.
This study aimed at investigating the individual, household, and
community-level factors associated with pregnant married women's discriminatory
attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS.MethodsWe used data from the Demographic and
Health Surveys of 12 sub-Saharan African countries conducted between 2015 and
2019. Data on 17 065 pregnant married women were analyzed. Bivariate
(chi-squared test) and multivariable multilevel logistic regression analyses
were applied to investigate the factors associated with discriminatory attitude
towards PLWHA. The results were reported as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) at 95%
confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe mean age of participants was 31.2 ± 8.5.
The prevalence of discriminatory attitude towards PLWHA was 36.2% (95% CI:
33.4%-39.1%). Individual/household-level factors associated with discriminatory
attitude towards PLWHA were women's educational level (secondary school-aOR =
0.49, 95% CI: 0.26-0.93), husband's educational level (higher education-aOR =
0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.76), decision-making power (yes-aOR = 0.51, 95% CI:
0.38-0.69), wife-beating attitude (disagreement with wife beating-aOR = 0.58,
95% CI: 0.43-0.79), and religion (Muslim-aOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.22-3.04).
Community socioeconomic status (medium-aOR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.93) was the
only community-level factor associated with discriminatory attitude towards
PLWHA.Conclusion
More than one-third of pregnant married
women in SSA had discriminatory attitude towards PLWHA. Women's educational
level, husband's educational level, decision-making power, wife-beating
attitude, religion, and community socio-economic status were associated with
discriminatory attitude towards PLWHA. To lessen the prevalence of
discriminatory attitude towards PLWHA, considering these significant factors is
needed. Therefore, governments and other stakeholders in the respective
countries need to increase education coverage. Moreover, empowering women
through education and economy is crucial. Finally, working with religious
leaders to increase awareness about HIV and discriminatory attitude towards
PLWHA should also be a priority in SSA.
AB - Background
and AimsDiscriminatory attitude towards people
living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major problem in the
prevention and treatment of HIV in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Understanding the
multiple factors linked to discriminatory attitude towards people living with
HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in SSA is necessary for developing appropriate interventions.
This study aimed at investigating the individual, household, and
community-level factors associated with pregnant married women's discriminatory
attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS.MethodsWe used data from the Demographic and
Health Surveys of 12 sub-Saharan African countries conducted between 2015 and
2019. Data on 17 065 pregnant married women were analyzed. Bivariate
(chi-squared test) and multivariable multilevel logistic regression analyses
were applied to investigate the factors associated with discriminatory attitude
towards PLWHA. The results were reported as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) at 95%
confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe mean age of participants was 31.2 ± 8.5.
The prevalence of discriminatory attitude towards PLWHA was 36.2% (95% CI:
33.4%-39.1%). Individual/household-level factors associated with discriminatory
attitude towards PLWHA were women's educational level (secondary school-aOR =
0.49, 95% CI: 0.26-0.93), husband's educational level (higher education-aOR =
0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.76), decision-making power (yes-aOR = 0.51, 95% CI:
0.38-0.69), wife-beating attitude (disagreement with wife beating-aOR = 0.58,
95% CI: 0.43-0.79), and religion (Muslim-aOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.22-3.04).
Community socioeconomic status (medium-aOR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.93) was the
only community-level factor associated with discriminatory attitude towards
PLWHA.Conclusion
More than one-third of pregnant married
women in SSA had discriminatory attitude towards PLWHA. Women's educational
level, husband's educational level, decision-making power, wife-beating
attitude, religion, and community socio-economic status were associated with
discriminatory attitude towards PLWHA. To lessen the prevalence of
discriminatory attitude towards PLWHA, considering these significant factors is
needed. Therefore, governments and other stakeholders in the respective
countries need to increase education coverage. Moreover, empowering women
through education and economy is crucial. Finally, working with religious
leaders to increase awareness about HIV and discriminatory attitude towards
PLWHA should also be a priority in SSA.
KW - DHS
KW - discrimination
KW - factors
KW - global health
KW - HIV/AIDS
KW - sub-Saharan Africa
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85121859328&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/hsr2.430
DO - 10.1002/hsr2.430
M3 - Journal Article (refereed)
C2 - 34746443
AN - SCOPUS:85121859328
SN - 2398-8835
VL - 4
JO - Health Science Reports
JF - Health Science Reports
IS - 4
M1 - e430
ER -
