BMC International Health and Human Rights

Persistent misconceptions about HIV transmission among males and females in Malawi

Yujiro Sano,
Roger Antabe,
Kilian Nasung Atuoye,
Lucia Kafui Hussey,
Jason Bayne,
Sylvester Zackaria GalaaEmail author,
Paul Mkandawire and
Isaac Luginaah

BMC International Health and Human RightsBMC series – open, inclusive and trusted201616:16

DOI: 10.1186/s12914-016-0089-8

Received: 3 August 2015

Accepted: 18 May 2016

Published: 7 June 2016

Open Peer Review reports

Abstract

Background

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.

Methods

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

Results

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.