HIV/AIDS AWARENESS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Globally 35 million people were living with HIV in 2013 whereas around 78 millionpeople have been infected since the start of the epidemic and 39 million people have died ofAIDS- related illness. Objectives: To examine the factors associated with HIV/AIDS awareness ofever married men and women age 15-49. Design: The secondary data sets are used of Pakistandemographic and health survey (PDHS) of ever married men and women with sample size 3134and 13558. Period: PDHS 2012-13. Setting: The national institute of population studies done thissurvey with the technical support from ICF International and Pakistan bureau of statistics and theUSAID supported the financially. Methods: Bivariate and binary logistic regression analysis hasbeen carried out to evaluate the significant socio demographic factors. Results: Every 7 out of10 ever married men have heard about AIDS, while the situation is much critical for ever marriedwomen, 6 out of 10 have not heard about HIV/AIDS. Generally finding revealed that almost bothof the respondents have misconception regarding HIV/AIDS transmission. Two binary logisticregression models are executed one for ever married man and other for ever married women.Two models revealed that early age groups have less knowledge about HIV/AIDS; urban hasmore knowledge compared to rural. Education level, media assess and wealth index have positiveassociation regarding to HIV/AIDS awareness. Conclusions: Socio-demographic aspects suchas age, education, place of residence and access to media TV, radio and newspaper, wealth indexand occupation are found to be significant varied systematically with the awareness of HIV/AIDS.These statistical outcomes will enhance the capability in disease management and control.