SOCIOECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AS A CATALYST EXPLORING ITS MULTIFACTORIAL INFLUENCE ON HIV TESTING BEHAVIOR AMONG WOMEN IN PAKISTAN
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Abstract
Introduction: The intersection of socioeconomic empowerment and health behaviors has gained increasing attention in public health research, particularly concerning marginalized populations.
Objective: The main objective of the study is to find the socioeconomic empowerment as a catalyst exploring its multifactorial influence on HIV testing behaviour among women in Pakistan.
Methodology of the study: This mix-method study was conducted at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Dow University Karachi during July 2023 to July 2024. A total of 300 women were recruited for the study through purposive sampling technique. Participants were selected to represent a diverse demographic profile, including variations in age, education level, economic status, and marital status. Inclusion criteria required participants to be women aged 18 and above, residing in Pakistan, and willing to provide informed consent.
Results: In terms of education, 40% had no formal education, 30% had primary education, 20% had secondary education, and only 10% had higher education. Women with higher education levels had significantly higher testing rates, with 75% of those with higher education having been tested, compared to only 15% of those with no formal education (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: It is concluded that socioeconomic empowerment significantly influences HIV testing behavior among women in Pakistan. Higher levels of education, employment, and household income are associated with increased likelihood of undergoing HIV testing.
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Humaira Abbas
Doctor, Government Women Medical Officer, Karachi
Amjad Ali Khan Panhwar
Lecturer, Bahria University of Health Sciences Sailor Street Cantonment Karachi 744 Sindh
Sobia Saeed Ghaloo
Doctor, Medicine Department, LUMHS Jamshoro, Hyderabad
Hameed Mumtaz Durrani
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad
Channa Alias Mumtaz Chohan
Medical Superintendent, Government of Sindh Health Department, District Headquarter/Civil Hospital, Thatta
Uzair Alam
Student, BDS Department, Rehman College of Dentistry, Peshawar
Anum Shehzad
Department of Public Health, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology University, Karachi