Comprehensive knowledge of HIV and associated factors among women aged 15–49 years in Somalia: further analysis of the Somali Demographic and Health Survey data

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a major public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings where limited knowledge fuels transmission. In Somalia, women face barriers to HIV awareness due to restricted education, limited access to information, and economic constraints. This study investigated the relationship between comprehensive HIV knowledge and sociodemographic characteristics among women aged 15–49 years, using data from the 2018–2019 SDHS, with the aim of identifying groups with lower levels of awareness. Multivariable binary logistic regression was employed to assess factors associated with comprehensive HIV knowledge, with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) reported. The analysis revealed that overall, 71.5% of women aged 15–49 years had comprehensive HIV knowledge. Factors significantly associated with comprehensive HIV knowledge included having primary education or higher (AOR = 1.451; 95% CI = 1.254–1.678), living in urban areas (AOR = 1.340; 95% CI = 1.156–1.553), and belonging to higher wealth quintiles—high (AOR = 1.650; 95% CI = 1.360–2.001) and medium (AOR = 1.265; 95% CI = 1.086–1.473). Conversely, lower odds of HIV knowledge were observed among women who listened to the radio less than once a week (AOR = 0.611; 95% CI = 0.435–0.858), did not listen at all (AOR = 0.622; 95% CI = 0.497–0.778), and those who had never used the internet (AOR = 0.745; 95% CI = 0.630–0.880). Strengthening HIV awareness in Somalia requires targeted educational programs, effective media engagement, and locally tailored interventions, particularly for underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged women.