HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitude Towards Preventive Behavior and Risk Perceptions Among Men of Bertha Population Living in Polygamous and Monogamous Marriages in Assosa Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz Region HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitude Towards Preventive Behavior and Risk Perceptions Among Men of Bertha Population Living in Polygamous and Monogamous Marriages Section MEDICAL SCIENCE

Abstract

Over 40.3 million people were living with the virus and of those, more than 70% were in sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional sexual practices including polygamy and promiscuity were driving rampant HIV/AIDS. Polygamy was the main transmission means for HIV, but a defensive attitude had been maintained by the cultural gate-keeper (polygamy doesn't contribute to the spread of HIV). The objective of this study is to measure and compare HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude towards preventive behavior, and risk perception among men bertha population. A community based comparative cross-sectional study was used. The study was carried out from March 21/2012 to April 11/2012. Participant’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards HIV/AIDs prevention behavior was ranged from 2-26 with a mean of 17.27 (SD=4.59) and 0-4 with a mean of 2.61(SD=1.42) respectively. Seventy (40.5%) polygamous and 159 (89.3%) monogamous men have had knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Regarding attitude [147 (83.1%) of monogamous men and 55(31.8%) of polygamous men] had a favorable attitude towards HIV prevention behavior. Similarly, large numbers of monogamous were able to identify the risk of contracting HIV [82 (48%) polygamous men and 127 (72.16%) monogamous men]. Monogamous types of marriage were 8.59, 5.12, and 2.50 times more knowledgeable, had a positive attitude towards HIV prevention behavior, and able to perceive a risk of contracting HIV/AIDS than polygamous counterparts respectively. As knowledge status increases both participants’ attitudes towards HIV prevention behavior and the ability to perceive the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS also increase. Study populations with high knowledge of HIV/AIDS also have had2.18 and 2.50 times more positive attitudes towards HIV prevention behavior and perceived risk of contracting HIV/AIDS than those non-knowledgeable respondents, respectively. Therefore, the monogamous population was by far more knowledgeable, had a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS prevention behavior, and perceived risk of contracting HIV/AIDs than the counterpart.