The role of HIV-related knowledge and ethnicity in determining HIV risk perception and willingness to undergo HIV testing among rural women in Burkina Faso.
We conducted a random community based survey of 300 young (15-29 years) rural women in Nouna, Burkina Faso. Only one-third of women were aware that a person could have HIV without having symptoms and these women were significantly more likely to classify themselves to be at high risk for getting HIV. Furthermore, multiple partners, Bwaba ethnicity and having mentioned a health worker as a source of HIV information were significantly associated with perceived high personal risk. Perceived willingness to participate in VCT was high (69%). The dissemination of information on the asymptomatic nature of HIV infection could potentially be very important in forming risk perception, awareness, and their willingness to participate in HIV interventions.
Sarker
Malabika
M
Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Germany. malabika.sarker@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
Milkowski
Andrea
A
Slanger
Tracy
T
Gondos
Adam
A
Sanou
Aboubakary
A
Kouyate
Bocar
B
Snow
Rachel
R
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D002050:Burkina Faso; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003906:Developing Countries; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012424:Rural Population; D014342:Truth Disclosure