Persistent misconceptions about HIV transmission among males and females in Malawi.
The prevalence of HIV in Malawi is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, and misconceptions about its mode of transmission are considered a major contributor to the continued spread of the virus.



Using the 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey, the current study explored factors associated with misconceptions about HIV transmission among males and females.



We found that higher levels of ABC prevention knowledge were associated with lower likelihood of endorsing misconceptions among females and males (OR = 0.85, p < 0.001; OR = 0.85, p < 0.001, respectively). Compared to those in the Northern region, both females and males in the Central (OR = 0.54, p < 0.001; OR = 0.53, p < 0.001, respectively) and Southern regions (OR = 0.49, p < 0.001; OR = 0.43, p < 0.001, respectively) were less likely to endorse misconceptions about HIV transmission. Moreover, marital status and ethnicity were significant predictors of HIV transmission misconceptions among females but not among males. Also, household wealth quintiles, education, religion, and urban-rural residence were significantly associated with endorsing misconceptions about HIV transmission.



Based on our findings, we recommend that education on HIV transmission in Malawi should integrate cultural and ethnic considerations of HIV/AIDS.
Department of Sociology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, Canada.
Yujiro
Y
Sano
Environmental Health and Hazards Lab, Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, Canada.
Roger
R
Antabe
Environmental Health and Hazards Lab, Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, Canada.
Kilian Nasung
KN
Atuoye
Environmental Health and Hazards Lab, Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, Canada.
Lucia Kafui
LK
Hussey
Environmental Health and Hazards Lab, Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, Canada.
Jason
J
Bayne
Faculty of Integrated Development Studies, University for Development Studies, Wa Campus, Wa, Ghana. sylvestergalaa@yahoo.com.
Sylvester Zackaria
SZ
Galaa
Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Human Rights Program, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.
Paul
P
Mkandawire
Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, Canada.
Isaac
I
Luginaah
D000328:Adult; D002835:Christianity; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003469:Culture; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012067:Religion; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Gender; HIV/AIDS Misconceptions; Malawi; Sub-Saharan Africa