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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

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Germany

    Malabika Sarker & Adam Gondos

  2. German Development Service Nairobi, Kenya

    Andrea Milkowski

  3. DKFZ (German Cancer Research Center), University of Heidelberg, Germany

    Tracy Slanger

  4. Centre de Recherche en Sante de Nouna (CRSN), Nouna, Burkina Faso

    Aboubakary Sanou & Bocar Kouyate

  5. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

    Rachel Snow

  6. Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, INF 324, 69120, Germany

    Malabika Sarker

Authors
  1. Malabika Sarker
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  2. Andrea Milkowski
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  3. Tracy Slanger
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  4. Adam Gondos
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  5. Aboubakary Sanou
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  6. Bocar Kouyate
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  7. Rachel Snow
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Correspondence to Malabika Sarker.

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Sarker, M., Milkowski, A., Slanger, T. et al. 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. AIDS Behav 9, 243–249 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-005-3905-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-005-3905-z

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