Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices about HIV/AIDS among the overseas job seekers in Bangladesh

M. Rahman, T. A. Shimu, T. Fukui, T. Shimbo, W. Yamamoto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

A study of the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices (KABP) relating to HIV/AIDS was conducted among people from Bangladesh seeking work overseas (N = 300), during February, 1997 and March, 1997. Only 26% of the respondents knew of AIDS and out of 13 basic facts concerning HIV/AIDS the mean score of the sample was 1.63 correct responses. Most of those who knew of HIV had some false beliefs about the mode of HIV transmission, for example, believing that HIV could be contracted by touching an AIDS patient, or sharing bathing facilities or eating utensils. Sex with brothel-based commerical sex workers (100%), sharing contaminated needles (93.6%) and blood transfusion from infected individuals (93.6%) were seen as the main route of HIV transmission. Printed media (69%) was the main source of AIDS information. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that having a non-agricultural occupation (P < 0.04), being resident in Dhaka, Chandpur, Noakhali, Comilla, and Chittagong (P < 0.01), being in the habit of reading newspapers (P < 0.05), using condoms (P < 0.04), having heard about condoms (P < 0.003), having seen condoms (P < 0.005) and knowing where to buy condoms (P < 0.0005) were significantly associated with AIDS awareness. There is insufficient AIDS awareness among overseas job seekers which calls for public initiatives to provide AIDS information to them before they leave Bangladesh to work abroad.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)35-38
Number of pages4
JournalPublic Health
Volume113
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AIDS
  • Attitudes
  • Bangladesh
  • Beliefs and practices
  • HIV
  • Knowledge
  • Overseas job seekers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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