The Association Between Women's Autonomy and Women's HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes in Ethiopia

Fadumo Rirash, The University of Western Ontario

Abstract

Low autonomy resulting from gender inequalities in women has been identified as a contributing factor to the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on women, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This study explored the association between women’s autonomy and HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes in Ethiopia using the 2005 and 2011 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys. The women’s spouses’ perceptions of the women’s autonomy and socio-demographic variables associated with HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes identified by the literature were included in the analyses. Multiple linear regression identified positive associations between women’s autonomy (and men’s perception of women’s autonomy), socio-demographic variables including education and mass media exposure and women’s HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes.

This study underscores the importance of autonomy, education, and mass media to initiatives addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on women. High autonomy, in addition to comprehensive knowledge and positive attitudes with respect to HIV/AIDS, are important to HIV/AIDS prevention in women.