Afghani men's media sources of information about human immunodeficiency virus: Findings from a nationally representative survey

Irfan Thalib, Husna; Umar, Ridha; Khan, Sariya; Alzahrani, Hayam Abdullah; Alghamdi, Lama; El Said, Manal

doi:10.21608/mid.2025.351225.2446

Afghani men's media sources of information about human immunodeficiency virus: Findings from a nationally representative survey

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ General Medicine Practice Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia

² College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates

³ General Medicine Practice Program, Department of Microbiology, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia

10.21608/mid.2025.351225.2446

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.

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