Gender Differences in Knowledge and Risk Perception towards HIV/AIDS among Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

 Background: Rohingyas living in refugee camps of Bangladesh have been identified as a high-risk group for HIV transmission. This study aimed to assess gender differences in risk perception towards HIV/AIDS among Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar. Methods: A cross-sectional design was adopted to assess the level of risk perception towards HIV/AIDS. This analysis utilizes data from a survey of ۱۳۰ Rohingya people through face-to-face interviews utilizing a ۲۸-item HIV-Knowledge Questionnaire. A systematic sampling technique was used to accomplish data collection survey. Analyzing was done by SPSS ۲۵. Results: Only ۴۱.۸% of males and ۵۸.۲% of females had a good knowledge score (۸ out of ۱۱ items) regarding the transmission of HIV. Knowledge is significantly associated with female gender (χ۲ = ۸.۹۲۷, p < ۰.۰۰۵). Gender differences were also significantly associated with the perceived risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in the future (p < ۰.۰۰۱). When rank averages were investigated, perceived risk of contracting HIV/AIDS score of the female participants (mean rank = ۷۶.۷۱) appeared to be higher compared to the score of male participants (mean rank = ۵۴.۲۹). Conclusion: Female Rohingyas perceive a higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS than male Rohingyas. Programs should address harmful gender norms, HIV testing and education emphasizing the risks involved in transactional sex within the camps.

Keywords:

HIV/AIDS , Gender , Knowledge , Risk , Perception , Rohingya