Afghani men's media sources of information about human immunodeficiency virus: Findings from a nationally representative survey
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remains a global public health crisis, despite advancements in treatment and prevention, the global mortality rate continues to rise. Given the increasing rate of HIV Infections in Afghanistan, especially among men, understanding how this population obtains HIV-related knowledge is crucial for the development of effective health education and promotion programs. Aim: This study aims to understand the role of various media platforms in disseminating HIV information and to identify key demographic differences in media usage among the male population of Afghanistan. Methods: This study investigates the media sources accessed by Afghan men for HIV/AIDS information, utilizing data from the 2018-2019 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). This study comprised a sample of 10,291 Afghan men between the ages of 20 and 49. Information was gathered with an emphasis on how media channels including the Internet, television, and radio were used. Statistical methods were applied to assess demographic factors such as age, education, and residence type and their association with media access for HIV/AIDS information. Results: The results revealed that radio and television were the most accessed media sources for HIV/AIDS information. Significant demographic differences were observed in media usage patterns, with variations across age groups, education levels, and rural or urban residence. Younger, more educated individuals and those living in urban areas had greater access to media sources for HIV information. Conclusion: The findings highlight critical gaps in HIV knowledge among Afghan men and the role of media in bridging these gaps. Tailored HIV awareness campaigns, considering key demographic factors such as age, education, and residence, are necessary to enhance the effectiveness of health education programs and information dissemination in Afghanistan.
Authors: Husna Irfan Thalib, Ridha Umar, Sariya Khan, Hayam Abdullah Alzahrani, Lama Alghamdi, Manal El Said
Institutions: University of Sharjah, Batterjee Medical College
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408626877