Low Knowledge, High Risk: Urban Slum Dwellers In Bangladesh Are Lacking Awareness About HIV/AIDS
Bangladesh has made significant strides in tackling HIV/AIDS, yet the urban slums of Dhaka remain highly vulnerable due to limited awareness, socio-economic disparities, and gender-based inequalities. A recent study sheds light on the knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices regarding HIV/AIDS among slum dwellers, revealing key gaps that demand urgent attention.
Low Knowledge, High Risk
The study found that the average knowledge score on HIV/AIDS among urban slum dwellers was alarmingly low—only 33%, with men scoring significantly higher than women. “Being male was a significant predictor, suggesting that males tended to have better knowledge levels compared to females,” the study noted. This disparity can be traced to limited access to education, societal norms, and deeply embedded gender inequalities.
Social media access emerged as a crucial factor in improving knowledge. Participants with access to social media—even for less than an hour daily—demonstrated significantly higher awareness than those without. “Those without access to social media may lack exposure to crucial health information,” the research pointed out, underscoring the role of digital platforms in spreading awareness.
Attitudes and Prevention: A Gender Divide
Encouragingly, 81% of respondents displayed a positive attitude toward HIV/AIDS prevention. However, men once again outperformed women in terms of attitude and preventive practices. The study attributed this to social norms and cultural barriers that restrict women’s access to health education and services.
Interestingly, participants with a family history of STDs or those acquainted with HIV-positive individuals exhibited a more positive outlook and proactive prevention behaviours. “The heightened positive attitude may stem from shared knowledge and experiences within affected families,” the study stated.
A key revelation was the link between daily physical exercise and HIV/AIDS knowledge. Those engaging in regular exercise were found to be more informed and had a more positive attitude toward prevention. This aligns with global studies suggesting that physical activity boosts cognitive function and awareness.
Barriers to Prevention Practices
The study found that only 60.6% of respondents actively engaged in preventive practices, with women lagging behind men. “Knowledge disparities on HIV/AIDS may be the reason behind the differences in practice status,” it noted.
Younger individuals, despite being more exposed to information, exhibited lower adherence to preventive measures. This contradicts assumptions that youth are more receptive to awareness campaigns, highlighting the need for targeted interventions tailored to their specific challenges.
The Way Forward: Urgent Interventions Needed
These findings underscore the urgent need for gender-sensitive interventions and digital health campaigns. Social media, if leveraged effectively, can serve as a powerful tool in breaking stigma and spreading awareness. Additionally, integrating Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) into informal education settings can empower women with essential knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention.
Policymakers and NGOs must also prioritise access to HIV/AIDS information for women, particularly through community outreach programs. As the study suggests, “tailored interventions focusing on gender and social media can enhance preventive measures.”
Source: BMC Public Health
Picture Credit: Mumtahina Tanni/Unsplash
