Sociodemographic Factors Influencing HIV Transmission Misconceptions Among Young Jordanian Men: Insights from the 2023 Demographic and Health Survey

Sociodemographic Factors Influencing HIV Transmission Misconceptions Among Young Jordanian Men: Insights from the 2023 Demographic and Health Survey | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Sociodemographic Factors Influencing HIV Transmission Misconceptions Among Young Jordanian Men: Insights from the 2023 Demographic and Health Survey Ahmed Mohamed Shahin, Omar Abbas, Mahmoud Shaaban Abdelgalil This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5966086/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 13 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in BMC Infectious Diseases → Version 1 posted 8 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Misconceptions about HIV transmission, such as the belief that it spreads through sharing food, pose a challenge to public health education in Jordan. This study examines the demographic, socioeconomic, and media-related factors shaping these misconceptions among young Jordanian men. Methods Using data from the 2023 Jordanian Demographic and Health Survey (JDHS), we conducted a univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify socioeconomic predictors of misconceptions about HIV transmission through food. The study utilized a nationally representative sample of 1,500 young Jordanian men aged 15–24 years. Participants were asked, "Can you get HIV by sharing food with a person who has AIDS?" Responses were categorized as "yes," "no," or "do not know." Men with missing data or "do not know" responses were excluded. Data were weighted according to DHS guidelines to ensure national representativeness. Results We included 1500 young Jordanian men, of which 445 (29.7%) thought that they could get HIV through sharing food with HIV patients. Our findings indicate that men with secondary education (AOR = 0.167, 95% CI: 0.061–0.457, p = 0.001) and higher education (AOR = 0.118, 95% CI: 0.039–0.355, p < 0.001) had significantly lower odds of holding misconceptions about HIV transmission. Media consumption patterns also influenced misconceptions. Frequent television viewing (AOR = 0.446, 95% CI: 0.276–0.720, p = 0.001) and internet usage (AOR = 0.493, 95% CI: 0.268–0.907, p = 0.023) were associated with reduced odds of misconceptions. In contrast, reading newspapers or magazines at least once a week (AOR = 2.820, 95% CI: 1.142–6.961, p = 0.025) and listening to the radio less than once a week (AOR = 1.770, 95% CI: 1.072–2.922, p = 0.026) were linked to higher odds of misconceptions. Additionally, men employed in household and domestic work exhibited a significantly increased likelihood of misconceptions (AOR = 57.975, 95% CI: 4.900–685.979, p = 0.001). Conclusion This study underscores the need for targeted education and media strategies to address HIV misconceptions in Jordan, particularly among rural residents and those with lower education. Using accessible media like TV and improving health content on television can help dispel myths, reduce stigma, and foster a more informed society. HIV transmission misconceptions HIV/AIDS stigma Jordanian men Sociodemographic determinants Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) 1. Introduction The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global health issue that primarily targets the human immune system, specifically white blood cells ( 1 ). By the end of 2023, an estimated 39.9 million people were living with HIV worldwide, with HIV-related mortality reaching 630,000 ( 2 ).While HIV transmission rates vary across regions, countries such as Jordan face their own unique challenges. As of 2024, it is estimated that there are between 1,200 and 1,500 AIDS cases in Jordan, with approximately 55% of these cases attributed to unprotected, illegal sexual relationships( 3 , 4 ). Despite significant advancements in public knowledge about HIV, misconceptions about its transmission continue to persist. Studies conducted in Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal have shown that some individuals mistakenly believe HIV can be transmitted through mosquito bites, witchcraft, or physical contact with an infected person ( 5 , 6 ).These misconceptions contribute to stigma and discriminatory behaviors, including social avoidance, such as exclusion from sharing food, drinks, sitting nearby, or handling personal belongings. Such actions stem from widespread misunderstandings about HIV transmission( 1 ). In Jordan, although 97% of the population is aware of HIV and its modes of transmission, certain myths remain persistent and difficult to change( 7 ). One prevalent misconception is the belief that HIV can be transmitted through sharing food ( 8 ).The 2023 Jordanian Demographic and Health Survey (JDHS) found that 29.7% of young Jordanian men mistakenly believe that HIV can be transmitted through sharing food. The survey focused on young men, recognizing their increased risk due to shorter relationships, multiple partners, and other high-risk behaviors. Understanding the factors contributing to these misconceptions is essential for bridging knowledge gaps, guiding future research, and strengthening HIV prevention and control efforts. ( 9 – 11 ). This study aims to address these deeply ingrained misconceptions through a multivariate analysis, identifying the socioeconomic and cultural factors that drive such beliefs. By uncovering these determinants, the research will offer evidence-based insights that can guide culturally tailored public health interventions. These interventions are crucial in reducing misinformation and stigma surrounding HIV transmission, ultimately improving HIV prevention efforts in Jordan. 2. Methods 2.1 Data source We extracted the necessary data from the 2023 JDHS. The survey included information on beliefs about HIV transmission. Our analysis focused on young men aged 15–24 years who responded to a specific question regarding the risk of contracting HIV through sharing food with individuals living with AIDS. The question, as included in the database, was phrased as follows: “Can you get HIV by sharing food with a person who has AIDS?”. Exclusion criteria were men with missing data or those who responded “Do not know” for this question. 2.2 Variables included This study examined multiple variables, including age, wealth index, educational attainment, place of residence, occupation, and media consumption habits. Age was categorized into two groups: 15–19 years and 20–24 years. The wealth index was classified into five levels: poorest, poorer, middle, richer, and richest. Educational attainment was categorized as no education, primary education, secondary education, or higher education. Place of residence was classified as either urban or rural. Occupation was assessed across multiple categories: not working, professional/technical/managerial, clerical, sales, self-employed in agriculture, household and domestic work, services, skilled manual labor, and unskilled manual labor. Media consumption habits were assessed through four variables: frequency of using internet last month, frequency of listening to the radio, reading newspapers or magazines, and watching television. For each of these, responses were categorized as not at all, less than once a week, or at least once a week. 2.3 Statistical analysis The analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27. In line with the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) guidelines( 12 ), weighted counts were applied to ensure representativeness. The sample weight, an eight-digit number with six decimal places, was adjusted by dividing it by 1,000,000. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the study population. To identify predictors of the belief that HIV can be transmitted through sharing food, a logistic regression model was employed. Statistical analysis was conducted in two stages. First, univariate logistic regression was performed to identify potential predictors. Variables with a significance level of less than 0.05 in the univariate analysis were then included in the multivariate logistic regression model to determine independent associations. Results from the logistic regression were reported using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A p-value below 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Men who responded "yes" to the question were classified as the case group and coded as 1 in the DHS database, while those who responded "no" were classified as the control group and coded as 0. Men with missing data or those who responded “Do not know” were excluded from the analysis. 2.4 Ethical consideration Approval for data usage was granted by the DHS board on 28th October 2024. Before participating in the survey, informed consent was obtained from all participants. The consent process included a detailed explanation of the survey’s purpose, potential benefits, risks associated with participation, and the estimated duration of the survey. Participants were informed of their right to either agree or decline participation without any consequences. 3. Results 3.1 Characteristics of Jordanian men included in the analysis For the analysis, a set of data was collected from 1,500 Jordanian men. Among them, 445 (29.7%) believed that they could get HIV by sharing food with someone who has AIDS ( Table 1 ) . The results revealed that the highest proportion of men who believed in this misconception (case) were in the 15–19 years age group (52.4%), while the largest proportion of men who did not believe the misconception (control) were also in the same age group (50.4%). Table 1 Sociodemographic Characteristics of included Jordanian men in our analysis. Can get HIV by sharing food with person who has AIDS Control Case Count Column n % Count Column n % Age in 5-year groups 15–19 532 50.4% 233 52.4% 20–24 523 49.6% 212 47.6% Educational level No education 6 0.6% 15 3.4% Primary 11 1.1% 13 2.9% Secondary 653 61.9% 297 66.7% Higher 385 36.5% 121 27.1% Type of place of residence Urban 987 93.6% 398 89.4% Rural 67 6.4% 47 10.6% Wealth index combined Poorest 113 10.7% 73 16.5% Poorer 136 12.9% 58 13.1% Middle 207 19.6% 91 20.5% Richer 267 25.3% 90 20.2% Richest 331 31.4% 133 29.8% Frequency of reading newspaper or magazine Not at all 1025 97.2% 411 92.2% Less than once a week 16 1.5% 12 2.8% At least once a week 14 1.3% 22 5.0% Almost every day 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Frequency of listening to radio Not at all 787 74.7% 274 61.5% Less than once a week 166 15.7% 103 23.1% At least once a week 101 9.6% 68 15.4% Almost every day 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Frequency of watching television Not at all 81 7.7% 56 12.5% Less than once a week 260 24.6% 131 29.3% At least once a week 713 67.6% 259 58.1% Almost every day 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Frequency of using internet last month Not at all 81 7.6% 74 16.5% Less than once a week 1 0.1% 7 1.6% At least once a week 21 2.0% 20 4.5% Almost every day 951 90.2% 345 77.3% Occupation (grouped) Not working 801 76.0% 351 78.7% Professional/technical/managerial 41 3.9% 15 3.3% Clerical 18 1.7% 2 0.5% Sales 32 3.0% 10 2.2% Agriculture - self employed 8 0.8% 1 0.2% Agriculture - employee 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Household and domestic 0 0.0% 3 0.7% Services 65 6.2% 25 5.6% Skilled manual 73 6.9% 26 5.8% Unskilled manual 17 1.6% 12 2.7% Don't know 0 0.0% 2 0.4% Regarding educational level, most case group had completed secondary education (66.7%), while 27.1% had higher education, and smaller proportions had primary (2.9%) or no education (3.4%). However, among control group 61.9% had completed secondary education, 36.5% had higher education, 1.1% had primary education, and 0.6% had no education. Approximately a quarter of the entire sample had no formal education. Regarding the wealth index combined, the highest proportion of the case and control group was from the richest wealth quintile (29.8%) and (31.4%) in order. More details about the baseline characteristics are reported in Table 1 . 3.2 Multivariable analysis The multivariable analysis ( Table 2 ) identified several significant predictors of the misconception that HIV can be transmitted by sharing food with someone who has AIDS. Men with secondary education (AOR = 0.167, 95% CI: 0.061–0.457, p = 0.001) and higher education (AOR = 0.118, 95% CI: 0.039–0.355, p < 0.001) were significantly less likely to believe in the misconception compared to those with no education. In contrast, men with primary education showed no significant association (AOR = 0.388, 95% CI: 0.064–2.346 P = 0.302). Table 2 Predictors of Beliefs About HIV Transmission Through Food Among Jordanian Men Parameter Estimates Univariate analysis Multivariate analysis AOR 95% Confidence Interval for AOR AOR 95% Confidence Interval for AOR Lower Upper P-value Lower Upper P-value Age in 5-year groups 15–19 Reference NA 20–24 0.924 0.632 1.351 0.684 Educational level No education Reference Reference Primary 0.462 0.125 1.705 0.246 0.388 0.064 2.346 0.302 Secondary 0.182 0.089 0.372 < .001 0.167 0.061 0.457 0.001 Higher 0.126 0.059 0.269 < .001 0.118 0.039 0.355 < 0.001 Type of place of residence Urban Reference Reference Rural 1.745 1.181 2.58 0.005 1.531 0.992 2.362 0.054 Wealth index combined Poorest Reference Reference Poorer 0.659 0.378 1.15 0.142 0.950 0.518 1.742 0.867 Middle 0.680 0.371 1.247 0.212 1.171 0.596 2.299 0.646 Richer 0.520 0.279 0.969 0.04 0.853 0.444 1.640 0.633 Richest 0.619 0.349 1.095 0.099 1.247 0.669 2.326 0.487 Frequency of using internet last month Not at all Reference Reference Less than once a week 5.901 1.47 23.687 0.012 5.145 1.193 22.184 0.028 At least once a week 1.046 0.465 2.356 0.913 1.008 0.416 2.443 0.985 Almost every day 0.397 0.249 0.633 < .001 0.493 0.268 0.907 0.023 Frequency of reading newspaper or magazine Not at all Reference Reference Less than once a week 1.957 0.857 4.469 0.111 1.380 0.592 3.214 0.455 At least once a week 4.105 2.159 7.807 < .001 2.820 1.142 6.961 0.025 Frequency of listening to radio Not at all Reference Reference Less than once a week 1.783 1.121 2.835 0.015 1.770 1.072 2.922 0.026 At least once a week 1.942 1.031 3.658 0.04 2.007 0.962 4.190 0.063 Frequency of watching television Not at all Reference Reference Less than once a week 0.735 0.425 1.269 0.269 0.612 0.349 1.073 0.086 At least once a week 0.530 0.341 0.825 0.005 0.446 0.276 0.720 0.001 Occupation (grouped) Not working Reference Reference Professional/technical/managerial 0.821 0.255 2.641 0.74 0.980 0.311 3.084 0.972 Clerical 0.275 0.049 1.546 0.142 0.256 0.040 1.634 0.149 Sales 0.702 0.295 1.671 0.424 0.699 0.293 1.669 0.420 Agriculture - self employed 0.200 0.033 1.218 0.081 0.206 0.029 1.458 0.113 Household and domestic 43.013 3.938 469.821 0.002 57.975 4.900 685.979 0.001 Services 0.869 0.43 1.755 0.694 0.888 0.423 1.863 0.753 Skilled manual 0.810 0.408 1.609 0.547 0.861 0.377 1.967 0.723 Unskilled manual 1.659 0.503 5.466 0.405 1.448 0.471 4.452 0.517 Media consumption patterns were significant predictors of the misconception. Men who used the internet less than once a week had significantly higher odds of holding the misconception (AOR = 5.145, 95% CI: 1.193–22.184, p = 0.028). In contrast, those who used the internet daily had significantly lower odds (AOR = 0.493, 95% CI: 0.268–0.907, p = 0.023). Similarly, men who read newspapers or magazines at least once a week were more likely to hold the misconception (AOR = 2.820, 95% CI: 1.142–6.961, p = 0.025), whereas reading less than once a week was not significantly associated (AOR = 1.380, 95% CI: 0.592–3.214, p = 0.455). Television viewing, on the other hand, showed a protective effect. Men who watched TV at least once a week were significantly less likely to hold the misconception (AOR = 0.446, 95% CI: 0.276–0.720, p = 0.001), while watching less than once a week had no significant impact (AOR = 0.612, 95% CI: 0.349–1.073, p = 0.086). Regarding radio exposure, men who listened less than once a week had significantly higher odds of holding the misconception compared to those who never listened (AOR = 1.770, 95% CI: 1.072–2.922, p = 0.026). However, listening at least once a week was not significantly associated with the misconception (AOR = 2.007, 95% CI: 0.962–4.190, p = 0.063). Regarding occupation, men working in household and domestic showed a significant increase in the odds of the misconceptions (AOR = 57.975, 95% CI: 4.900–685.979, p = 0.001). Other variables, such as age, wealth index, and type of place of residence did not show significant associations with the misconception. 4. Discussion This study focuses on the factors affecting misconceptions about HIV transmission in young Jordanian men, specifically the false belief that HIV can be transmitted by sharing food with someone who has AIDS. Our findings show that certain demographic factors and media habits are associated with this misconception, pointing to areas where targeted public health efforts might be effective in reducing HIV stigma and misinformation. Our analysis found no significant association between age and misconceptions about HIV transmission through food, which aligns with findings from Seid et al. (2020) in Ethiopia( 13 ) and Sano et al. (2016) in Malawi( 14 ). This contrasts with Mondal et al. (2015) in Bangladesh( 15 ), which reported that older women were more likely to hold such misconceptions. The discrepancy between our study and Mondal et al. (2015)( 15 ) could be attributed to differences in study populations and geographical contexts. Our study included men aged 15–24, and the lack of data for older age groups means we could not assess whether misconceptions vary in these populations. This limitation suggests that the relationship between age and HIV-related misconceptions may differ across age ranges and genders, warranting further investigation to better understand how misconceptions evolve across different demographic groups. Education level has a strong impact. Individuals with secondary or higher education were less likely to believe in food-based HIV transmission. This pattern aligns with previous studies that show a higher level of education improves health knowledge and understanding of HIV transmission( 16 , 17 ). This finding suggests that education provides people with the critical thinking skills and accurate information needed to eradicate HIV myths, underscoring the importance of integrating HIV education into schools( 18 – 20 ). Our analysis found no significant difference between living in rural versus urban areas regarding misconceptions about HIV transmission. This urban-rural divide contrasts with previous research indicating that rural populations typically have lower HIV awareness and higher levels of stigma compared to urban populations( 21 , 22 ). The disparity is likely due to limited access to healthcare resources and educational programs in rural areas. Targeted public health initiatives in these regions could help address misconceptions and reduce stigma surrounding HIV. Socioeconomic status, as measured by wealth, did not show a strong impact on HIV misconceptions. While those in the "richer" and "richest" categories showed a slightly higher impact on holding this belief, the differences were not significant. This finding is somewhat unexpected, as other studies have shown that wealthier individuals often have better health knowledge( 14 , 17 ). It could be that wealth alone does not affect knowledge of HIV transmission, especially in areas where cultural beliefs and stigma may influence understanding more than economic factors. The study's findings on media consumption patterns provide valuable insights into the role of different media types in shaping HIV-related misconceptions. Surprisingly, men who read newspapers or magazines were more likely to hold the misconception. This contrasts with previous research suggesting that print media can effectively deliver health information and dispel myths( 23 ). One possible explanation is that the content of newspapers and magazines in Jordan may not consistently provide accurate health information, or that individuals who frequently read these materials may be exposed to sensationalized or misleading content. Similarly, listening to the radio was associated with higher odds of holding the misconception. While radio is an effective tool for health education, particularly in rural areas ( 24 ), the study's findings suggest that infrequent exposure to radio may not be sufficient to counteract misinformation. This highlights the need for more consistent and targeted radio programming that addresses HIV-related myths and provides accurate information. In contrast, frequent television viewing was associated with lower odds of holding the misconception. This finding suggests that television may be a more effective medium for disseminating accurate health information, particularly when compared to print media and radio. However, it is important to note that not all television content is reliable, and some programs may inadvertently reinforce myths ( 25 ). Public health campaigns should work with television networks to ensure that HIV-related content is scientifically accurate and culturally appropriate. Moreover, the frequent use of internet was significantly associated with lower odds of holding the misconception. This may be attributed to the fact that the internet serves as a powerful tool for improving HIV knowledge and combating misconceptions( 26 – 29 ). It provides access to a vast array of health information, empowering individuals to better manage their condition and reduce vulnerability to misinformation( 26 – 29 ). Online platforms are effective in disseminating HIV-related information, which enhances knowledge and awareness, helping to correct existing myths. Additionally, online communities and social networking sites offer a space for users to ask questions and engage in informed discussions about HIV, which plays a key role in dispelling misconceptions( 26 – 29 ). Internet-based interventions, such as the Internet Popular Opinion Leaders (iPOL) program, have proven successful in increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge, boosting self-efficacy, and fostering positive behavior changes, including increased HIV testing and safer sexual practices. These initiatives contribute to reducing misconceptions by providing accurate, peer-supported information and promoting healthier attitudes and behaviors towards HIV( 27 ). Regarding occupation, our analysis found a significant increase in the odds of HIV misconception among men working in household and domestic. This may be attributed to limited access to formal education and health information. Individuals in these roles often have lower educational attainment, which has been linked to a higher likelihood of harboring misconceptions about HIV transmission. 4.1 Strength and limitations The key strength of our study lies in the use of nationally representative data from the 2023 Jordanian Demographic and Health Survey (JDHS), ensuring that our findings are grounded in the real-world experiences of 1,500 Jordanian men. The use of multivariate analysis allowed for the identification of key sociodemographic and media-related predictors of HIV misconceptions. However, this study has several limitations that warrant further investigation in future research. First, its cross-sectional design limits causal inference, as it cannot establish temporal relationships between the misconception about HIV transmission through food and its associated risk factors. Second, self-reported media exposure may be subject to recall bias. Additionally, although we aimed to analyze all age groups, the dataset only included men aged 15–29, restricting our ability to assess misconceptions among older adults. The exclusion of women, older individuals, and respondents who answered “do not know” further limits the generalizability of our findings. Third, the study focused on a single misconception—HIV transmission through food-sharing—potentially overlooking broader HIV-related stigma dynamics. Lastly, the absence of qualitative data restricts the exploration of cultural and religious influences that may shape these misconceptions, which is particularly relevant in Jordan’s conservative social context. 4.2 Recommendation To combat the myth of HIV transmission through food, targeted public health interventions should focus on rural areas and individuals with lower education. Integrating HIV education into school curricula can enhance awareness among youth. Media campaigns should leverage radio's reach in rural communities and ensure accurate televised health content. Community programs involving local leaders and culturally relevant materials can further dispel myths and reduce stigma. Future research should explore cultural influences on misconceptions and assess the effectiveness of different media formats in addressing them. 5. Conclusion This study highlights persistent misconceptions about HIV transmission among Jordanian young men, particularly the belief that HIV can spread through sharing food. Lower education levels, rural residence, and certain media consumption habits (e.g., reading newspapers/magazines and infrequent radio listening) were linked to higher odds of holding these misconceptions, while frequent TV viewing and internet usage was associated with lower odds. Targeted public health efforts should focus on improving education, especially in rural areas, and leveraging media to disseminate accurate HIV information. Addressing these factors can reduce stigma, correct misinformation, and enhance HIV prevention in Jordan. Future research should explore cultural influences and the effectiveness of media interventions in combating HIV myths. Declarations Conflicts of interest: All the authors declare no conflict of interest. Funding: All author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable as we obtained the data from a publicly accessible database (https://dhsprogram.com/data/available-datasets.cfm). Consent for publication: not applicable. Availability of data and material: Data is available upon request from ICF International's website (https://dhsprogram.com/data/available-datasets.cfm). Acknowledgment: not applicable. Authors’ Contributions: Ahmed Mohamed Shahin contributed to the study by conceptualizing and validating the research idea, requesting data from the Demographic and Health Survey, performing data cleaning and analysis, drafting the introduction, developing the methods section, compiling the results, and writing the discussion section. Mahmoud Shaaban Abdelgalil supervised the project, offering guidance and oversight throughout the entire research process. References Suantari D. Misconceptions and stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey. Epidemiol Health [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 Nov 9];43:e2021094. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8920734/ Global HIV Programme [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 27]. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/hiv/strategic-information/hiv-data-and-statistics UNAIDS. (2023). Jordan Country Report. Retrieved from [https://www.unaids.org/en/country]. Omar H, khozahe A. Social and economic characteristics of AIDS patient in Jordan: A descriptive field study. Adv Soc Sci Res J [Internet]. 2018; Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/social-characteristics-aids-patient-jordan-field-study-omar/77e0633d0b4756539cbe37f7faadfcf8/ Tenkorang EY. Myths and misconceptions about HIV transmission in Ghana: what are the drivers? Cult Health Sex. 2013;15:296–310. Tenkorang EY. Myths and misconceptions about HIV transmission in Ghana: what are the drivers? Cult Health Sex. 2013;15:296–310. Alkhasawneh E, Mcfarland W, Mandel J, Seshan V. Insight into Jordanian Thinking About HIV: Knowledge of Jordanian Men and Women About HIV Prevention. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care [Internet]. 2014;25. Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/insight-jordanian-thinking-about-knowledge-jordanian-alkhasawneh/e6fa66d8219f5ddbbb54c7643e2a78fb/ Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Evidence for eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination. 2020. [cited 2021 Aug 1]. Available from: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/eliminating-discrimination-guidance_en.pdf. Kalichman SC SLT beliefs about the cause of A and A related stigma in SAfricaACare 2004;16:572–80. Kalichman SC, Simbayi L. Traditional beliefs about the cause of AIDS and AIDS-related stigma in South Africa. AIDS Care. 2004;16:572–80. Mujahid M, Ghani F. Fighting against the Myths among HIV Positive Person. Research and reviews: journal of medical and health sciences [Internet]. 2016;2016. Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/fighting-myths-among-positive-person-mujahid/8c4e9e5f47e25e26a970aeba220cb9d3/ Levy J. Dispelling myths and focusing on notable concepts in HIV pathogenesis. Trends Mol Med [Internet]. 2015;21 6:341–53. Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/dispelling-myths-focusing-concepts-pathogenesis-levy/571206ea158a5579b1fccff381601ee7/ Mwamwenda T. Myths and Misconceptions about Global HIV/AIDS: University Students in Zimbabwe. Transylvanian Review [Internet]. 2016;24. Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/misconceptions-global-hivaids-university-students-mwamwenda/b8285e7c47cb5b29b232b7571840f940/ The DHS Program - Using Datasets for Analysis [Internet]. [cited 2024 Oct 31]. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/data/Using-Datasets-for-Analysis.cfm Seid A, Ahmed M. What are the determinants of misconception about HIV transmission among ever-married women in Ethiopia? HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 Feb 1];12:441–8. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=dhiv20 Sano Y, Antabe R, Atuoye KN, Hussey LK, Bayne J, Galaa SZ, et al. Persistent misconceptions about HIV transmission among males and females in Malawi. BMC Int Health Hum Rights [Internet]. 2016 Jun 7 [cited 2025 Feb 1];16(1):1–10. Available from: https://bmcinthealthhumrights.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12914-016-0089-8 Mondal MNI, Hoque N, Chowdhury MRK, Hossain MS. Factors Associated with Misconceptions about HIV Transmission among Ever-Married Women in Bangladesh. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2015;68(1):13–9. Mukherjee, S., & Chakraborty, P. (2018). Education as a determinant of HIV knowledge: A study of HIV-related misconceptions in India. Indian Journal of Public Health, 62(1), 23-30. Chakraborty, D., & Sinha, M. (2017). Economic status and health knowledge: The case of HIV misconceptions. Journal of Health Economics and Behavior, 45(2), 102-110. Wu, J., et al. (2020). “Effects of public health education on HIV awareness.” Nasir, N., et al. (2016). “Educational interventions in reducing misconceptions about HIV.” Bain, L. E., et al. (2019). “Understanding HIV/AIDS-related stigma in rural settings.” Nguyen, A., Tran, P., & Le, T. (2020). HIV-related stigma and misinformation in rural areas: A comparative analysis. Rural Health Review, 8(2), 157-167. Zhou, X., & Xu, Y. (2021). HIV awareness disparities between urban and rural populations: A systematic review. Journal of Infectious Diseases and Social Health, 9(4), 348-360. Garcia-Castaño J, ML, & AR (2021). "Role of print media in dispelling myths about HA population based study. " PHC 33(7), 708 716. Garcia-Castaño, J., Martinez, L., & Alvarez, R. (2021). “Role of print media in dispelling myths about HIV: A population-based study.” Public Health Communication, 33(7), 708-716. Ouma J, & NE (2022). “Radio as a tool for H education in rural Kenya” AJ of HC 16(1), 33 40. Ouma, J., & Njiru, E. (2022). “Radio as a tool for HIV education in rural Kenya.” African Journal of Health Communication, 16(1), 33-40. Jensen H, PK, & LS (2023). "Health misinformation on television: I on public health awareness. " M and HS 25(3), 121 132. Jensen, H., Patel, K., & Li, S. (2023). “Health misinformation on television: Impacts on public health awareness.” Media and Health Studies, 25(3), 121-132. Ybarra ML, Kiwanuka J, Emenyonu N, Bangsberg DR. Internet Use among Ugandan Adolescents: Implications for HIV Intervention. PLoS Med [Internet]. 2006 Nov [cited 2025 Apr 4];3(11):e433. Available from: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.0030433 Ko NY, Hsieh CH, Wang MC, Lee C, Chen CL, Chung AC, et al. Effects of internet popular opinion leaders (ipol) among internet-using men who have sex with men. J Med Internet Res [Internet]. 2013 Feb 25 [cited 2025 Apr 4];15(2):e2264. Available from: https://www.jmir.org/2013/2/e40 Kalichman SC, Cherry C, Cain D, Pope H, Kalichman M, Eaton L, et al. Internet-based health information consumer skills intervention for people living with HIV/AIDS. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2006 Jun;74(3):545–54. Reeves PM. Coping in Cyberspace: The Impact of Internet Use on the Ability of HIV-Positive Individuals to Deal with Their Illness. J Health Commun [Internet]. 2000 [cited 2025 Apr 4];5:47–59. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10810730050019555 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 13 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in BMC Infectious Diseases → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 14 Apr, 2025 Reviews received at journal 14 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 14 Apr, 2025 Reviews received at journal 12 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 12 Apr, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 10 Apr, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 09 Apr, 2025 First submitted to journal 04 Apr, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5966086","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":441032099,"identity":"097d0184-9ded-43ab-a95c-54974dd1f477","order_by":0,"name":"Ahmed Mohamed Shahin","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA+klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYHACNgbGBgkGefb+7x8+gLjsxGox7DlgxjgDxGUmTguQupFgxswD4hPSwt/A/uzBzx0WeYwzEtIe2/zaJs/HzMD44WMObi0SB3jMDXvPSBSz8zw4bpzbd9uwjZmBWXLmNjzWHOBhk+Btk0hsbE9skM7tuc0I1MLGzItHi/wB9meSf4FaGg4kM0hb9ty2J6jF4ACDmTTIloYTaWzSDD9uJxLUYniYx0xaFqhlY88ZZsPehtvJbcyMzXj9Ine8/Znk27a6xPnsPYwPfvy5bTu/vfngh4/4vI8SC4xtYLIBj3oM8IcUxaNgFIyCUTBSAAC2b0+VGBdMpwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Menoufia University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ahmed","middleName":"Mohamed","lastName":"Shahin","suffix":""},{"id":441032100,"identity":"91bbc035-d405-47dc-ad17-f3fc5460e020","order_by":1,"name":"Omar Abbas","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ain-shams University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Omar","middleName":"","lastName":"Abbas","suffix":""},{"id":441032101,"identity":"a1c64707-94f6-47ba-bb8b-eefc7f88bbd6","order_by":2,"name":"Mahmoud Shaaban Abdelgalil","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ain-shams University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mahmoud","middleName":"Shaaban","lastName":"Abdelgalil","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-02-05 13:23:36","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5966086/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5966086/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11756-y","type":"published","date":"2025-10-13T15:58:43+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":93956819,"identity":"97080f21-c2dd-42f1-9c4b-5cb51e01ffee","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-20 16:12:32","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1496379,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5966086/v1/403584ea-0877-4f79-90fd-2e5a77adda4d.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Sociodemographic Factors Influencing HIV Transmission Misconceptions Among Young Jordanian Men: Insights from the 2023 Demographic and Health Survey","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global health issue that primarily targets the human immune system, specifically white blood cells (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). By the end of 2023, an estimated 39.9\u0026nbsp;million people were living with HIV worldwide, with HIV-related mortality reaching 630,000 (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).While HIV transmission rates vary across regions, countries such as Jordan face their own unique challenges. As of 2024, it is estimated that there are between 1,200 and 1,500 AIDS cases in Jordan, with approximately 55% of these cases attributed to unprotected, illegal sexual relationships(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite significant advancements in public knowledge about HIV, misconceptions about its transmission continue to persist. Studies conducted in Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal have shown that some individuals mistakenly believe HIV can be transmitted through mosquito bites, witchcraft, or physical contact with an infected person (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).These misconceptions contribute to stigma and discriminatory behaviors, including social avoidance, such as exclusion from sharing food, drinks, sitting nearby, or handling personal belongings. Such actions stem from widespread misunderstandings about HIV transmission(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Jordan, although 97% of the population is aware of HIV and its modes of transmission, certain myths remain persistent and difficult to change(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). One prevalent misconception is the belief that HIV can be transmitted through sharing food (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e).The 2023 Jordanian Demographic and Health Survey (JDHS) found that 29.7% of young Jordanian men mistakenly believe that HIV can be transmitted through sharing food. The survey focused on young men, recognizing their increased risk due to shorter relationships, multiple partners, and other high-risk behaviors. Understanding the factors contributing to these misconceptions is essential for bridging knowledge gaps, guiding future research, and strengthening HIV prevention and control efforts. (\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR10\" citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study aims to address these deeply ingrained misconceptions through a multivariate analysis, identifying the socioeconomic and cultural factors that drive such beliefs. By uncovering these determinants, the research will offer evidence-based insights that can guide culturally tailored public health interventions. These interventions are crucial in reducing misinformation and stigma surrounding HIV transmission, ultimately improving HIV prevention efforts in Jordan.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Data source\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe extracted the necessary data from the 2023 JDHS. The survey included information on beliefs about HIV transmission. Our analysis focused on young men aged 15\u0026ndash;24 years who responded to a specific question regarding the risk of contracting HIV through sharing food with individuals living with AIDS.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe question, as included in the database, was phrased as follows: \u0026ldquo;Can you get HIV by sharing food with a person who has AIDS?\u0026rdquo;. Exclusion criteria were men with missing data or those who responded \u0026ldquo;Do not know\u0026rdquo; for this question.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 Variables included\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study examined multiple variables, including age, wealth index, educational attainment, place of residence, occupation, and media consumption habits. Age was categorized into two groups: 15\u0026ndash;19 years and 20\u0026ndash;24 years. The wealth index was classified into five levels: poorest, poorer, middle, richer, and richest.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEducational attainment was categorized as no education, primary education, secondary education, or higher education. Place of residence was classified as either urban or rural. Occupation was assessed across multiple categories: not working, professional/technical/managerial, clerical, sales, self-employed in agriculture, household and domestic work, services, skilled manual labor, and unskilled manual labor.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedia consumption habits were assessed through four variables: frequency of using internet last month, frequency of listening to the radio, reading newspapers or magazines, and watching television. For each of these, responses were categorized as not at all, less than once a week, or at least once a week.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3 Statistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27. In line with the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) guidelines(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e), weighted counts were applied to ensure representativeness. The sample weight, an eight-digit number with six decimal places, was adjusted by dividing it by 1,000,000. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the study population.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo identify predictors of the belief that HIV can be transmitted through sharing food, a logistic regression model was employed. Statistical analysis was conducted in two stages. First, univariate logistic regression was performed to identify potential predictors. Variables with a significance level of less than 0.05 in the univariate analysis were then included in the multivariate logistic regression model to determine independent associations. Results from the logistic regression were reported using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A p-value below 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMen who responded \"yes\" to the question were classified as the case group and coded as 1 in the DHS database, while those who responded \"no\" were classified as the control group and coded as 0. Men with missing data or those who responded \u0026ldquo;Do not know\u0026rdquo; were excluded from the analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4 Ethical consideration\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eApproval for data usage was granted by the DHS board on 28th October 2024. Before participating in the survey, informed consent was obtained from all participants. The consent process included a detailed explanation of the survey\u0026rsquo;s purpose, potential benefits, risks associated with participation, and the estimated duration of the survey. Participants were informed of their right to either agree or decline participation without any consequences.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Characteristics of Jordanian men included in the analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the analysis, a set of data was collected from 1,500 Jordanian men. Among them, 445 (29.7%) believed that they could get HIV by sharing food with someone who has AIDS \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e)\u003c/b\u003e. The results revealed that the highest proportion of men who believed in this misconception (case) were in the 15\u0026ndash;19 years age group (52.4%), while the largest proportion of men who did not believe the misconception (control) were also in the same age group (50.4%).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSociodemographic Characteristics of included Jordanian men in our analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCan get HIV by sharing food with person who has AIDS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCount\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eColumn n %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCount\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eColumn n %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge in 5-year groups\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e15\u0026ndash;19\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e532\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e233\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e20\u0026ndash;24\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e523\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e212\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEducational level\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNo education\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrimary\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.1%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.9%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecondary\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e653\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.9%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e297\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHigher\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e385\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.5%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e121\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.1%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eType of place of residence\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUrban\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e987\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e398\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRural\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWealth index combined\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePoorest\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e113\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.5%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePoorer\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e136\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.9%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.1%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMiddle\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e207\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.5%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRicher\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e267\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.3%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichest\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e331\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e133\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency of reading newspaper or magazine\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNot at all\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1025\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e97.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e411\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLess than once a week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.3%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlmost every day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency of listening to radio\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNot at all\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e787\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e274\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.5%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLess than once a week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e166\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e103\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.1%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e101\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlmost every day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency of watching television\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNot at all\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.5%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLess than once a week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e131\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.3%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e713\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e259\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.1%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlmost every day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency of using internet last month\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNot at all\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.5%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLess than once a week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.5%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlmost every day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e951\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e345\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.3%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"10\" rowspan=\"11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOccupation (grouped)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNot working\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e801\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e351\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eProfessional/technical/managerial\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.9%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eClerical\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSales\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAgriculture - self employed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAgriculture - employee\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHousehold and domestic\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eServices\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSkilled manual\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.9%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUnskilled manual\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDon't know\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding educational level, most case group had completed secondary education (66.7%), while 27.1% had higher education, and smaller proportions had primary (2.9%) or no education (3.4%). However, among control group 61.9% had completed secondary education, 36.5% had higher education, 1.1% had primary education, and 0.6% had no education. Approximately a quarter of the entire sample had no formal education. Regarding the wealth index combined, the highest proportion of the case and control group was from the richest wealth quintile (29.8%) and (31.4%) in order. More details about the baseline characteristics are reported in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Multivariable analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe multivariable analysis \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e)\u003c/b\u003e identified several significant predictors of the misconception that HIV can be transmitted by sharing food with someone who has AIDS. Men with secondary education (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.167, 95% CI: 0.061\u0026ndash;0.457, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001) and higher education (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.118, 95% CI: 0.039\u0026ndash;0.355, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) were significantly less likely to believe in the misconception compared to those with no education. In contrast, men with primary education showed no significant association (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.388, 95% CI: 0.064\u0026ndash;2.346 P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.302).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePredictors of Beliefs About HIV Transmission Through Food Among Jordanian Men\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"10\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameter Estimates\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnivariate analysis\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMultivariate analysis\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAOR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% Confidence Interval for AOR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAOR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% Confidence Interval for AOR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLower\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUpper\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eP-value\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLower\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUpper\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eP-value\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge in 5-year groups\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u0026ndash;19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" morerows=\"1\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c7\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.924\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.632\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.351\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.684\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEducational level\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo education\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.462\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.705\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.246\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.388\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.064\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.346\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.302\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSecondary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.182\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.089\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.372\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.167\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.061\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.457\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigher\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.126\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.059\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.269\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.039\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.355\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eType of place of residence\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUrban\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRural\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.745\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.181\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.005\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.531\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.992\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.362\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.054\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWealth index combined\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoorest\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoorer\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.659\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.378\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.142\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.950\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.518\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.742\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.867\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMiddle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.680\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.371\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.247\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.212\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.171\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.596\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.299\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.646\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRicher\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.520\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.279\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.969\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.04\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.853\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.444\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.640\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.633\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRichest\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.619\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.349\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.095\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.099\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.247\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.669\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.326\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.487\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency of using internet last month\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot at all\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLess than once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.901\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.687\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.012\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.145\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.193\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.184\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.028\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.046\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.465\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.356\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.913\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.008\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.416\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.443\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.985\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlmost every day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.397\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.249\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.633\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.493\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.268\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.907\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.023\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency of reading newspaper or magazine\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot at all\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLess than once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.957\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.857\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.469\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.111\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.380\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.592\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.214\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.455\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.105\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.159\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.807\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.820\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.142\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.961\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.025\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency of listening to radio\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot at all\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLess than once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.783\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.121\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.835\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.015\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.770\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.072\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.922\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.026\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.942\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.031\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.658\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.04\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.962\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.190\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.063\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency of watching television\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot at all\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLess than once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.735\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.425\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.269\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.269\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.612\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.349\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.073\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.086\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.530\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.341\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.825\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.005\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.446\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.276\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.720\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"8\" rowspan=\"9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOccupation (grouped)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot working\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProfessional/technical/managerial\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.821\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.255\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.641\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.980\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.311\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.084\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.972\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClerical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.275\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.049\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.546\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.142\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.256\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.040\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.634\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.149\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.702\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.295\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.671\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.424\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.699\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.293\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.669\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.420\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAgriculture - self employed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.033\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.218\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.081\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.206\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.029\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.458\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.113\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHousehold and domestic\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.013\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.938\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e469.821\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.002\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.975\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.900\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e685.979\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eServices\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.869\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.755\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.694\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.888\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.423\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.863\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.753\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSkilled manual\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.810\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.408\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.609\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.547\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.861\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.377\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.967\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.723\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnskilled manual\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.659\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.503\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.466\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.405\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.448\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.471\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.452\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.517\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedia consumption patterns were significant predictors of the misconception. Men who used the internet less than once a week had significantly higher odds of holding the misconception (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.145, 95% CI: 1.193\u0026ndash;22.184, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.028). In contrast, those who used the internet daily had significantly lower odds (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.493, 95% CI: 0.268\u0026ndash;0.907, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.023).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSimilarly, men who read newspapers or magazines at least once a week were more likely to hold the misconception (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.820, 95% CI: 1.142\u0026ndash;6.961, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.025), whereas reading less than once a week was not significantly associated (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.380, 95% CI: 0.592\u0026ndash;3.214, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.455). Television viewing, on the other hand, showed a protective effect. Men who watched TV at least once a week were significantly less likely to hold the misconception (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.446, 95% CI: 0.276\u0026ndash;0.720, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001), while watching less than once a week had no significant impact (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.612, 95% CI: 0.349\u0026ndash;1.073, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.086).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding radio exposure, men who listened less than once a week had significantly higher odds of holding the misconception compared to those who never listened (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.770, 95% CI: 1.072\u0026ndash;2.922, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.026). However, listening at least once a week was not significantly associated with the misconception (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.007, 95% CI: 0.962\u0026ndash;4.190, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.063).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding occupation, men working in household and domestic showed a significant increase in the odds of the misconceptions (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;57.975, 95% CI: 4.900\u0026ndash;685.979, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001). Other variables, such as age, wealth index, and type of place of residence did not show significant associations with the misconception.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study focuses on the factors affecting misconceptions about HIV transmission in young Jordanian men, specifically the false belief that HIV can be transmitted by sharing food with someone who has AIDS. Our findings show that certain demographic factors and media habits are associated with this misconception, pointing to areas where targeted public health efforts might be effective in reducing HIV stigma and misinformation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur analysis found no significant association between age and misconceptions about HIV transmission through food, which aligns with findings from Seid et al. (2020) in Ethiopia(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e) and Sano et al. (2016) in Malawi(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e). This contrasts with Mondal et al. (2015) in Bangladesh(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e), which reported that older women were more likely to hold such misconceptions. The discrepancy between our study and Mondal et al. (2015)(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e) could be attributed to differences in study populations and geographical contexts. Our study included men aged 15\u0026ndash;24, and the lack of data for older age groups means we could not assess whether misconceptions vary in these populations. This limitation suggests that the relationship between age and HIV-related misconceptions may differ across age ranges and genders, warranting further investigation to better understand how misconceptions evolve across different demographic groups.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEducation level has a strong impact. Individuals with secondary or higher education were less likely to believe in food-based HIV transmission. This pattern aligns with previous studies that show a higher level of education improves health knowledge and understanding of HIV transmission(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e). This finding suggests that education provides people with the critical thinking skills and accurate information needed to eradicate HIV myths, underscoring the importance of integrating HIV education into schools(\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR19\" citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur analysis found no significant difference between living in rural versus urban areas regarding misconceptions about HIV transmission. This urban-rural divide contrasts with previous research indicating that rural populations typically have lower HIV awareness and higher levels of stigma compared to urban populations(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e). The disparity is likely due to limited access to healthcare resources and educational programs in rural areas. Targeted public health initiatives in these regions could help address misconceptions and reduce stigma surrounding HIV.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocioeconomic status, as measured by wealth, did not show a strong impact on HIV misconceptions. While those in the \"richer\" and \"richest\" categories showed a slightly higher impact on holding this belief, the differences were not significant. This finding is somewhat unexpected, as other studies have shown that wealthier individuals often have better health knowledge(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e). It could be that wealth alone does not affect knowledge of HIV transmission, especially in areas where cultural beliefs and stigma may influence understanding more than economic factors.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study's findings on media consumption patterns provide valuable insights into the role of different media types in shaping HIV-related misconceptions. Surprisingly, men who read newspapers or magazines were more likely to hold the misconception. This contrasts with previous research suggesting that print media can effectively deliver health information and dispel myths(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e). One possible explanation is that the content of newspapers and magazines in Jordan may not consistently provide accurate health information, or that individuals who frequently read these materials may be exposed to sensationalized or misleading content.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSimilarly, listening to the radio was associated with higher odds of holding the misconception. While radio is an effective tool for health education, particularly in rural areas (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e), the study's findings suggest that infrequent exposure to radio may not be sufficient to counteract misinformation. This highlights the need for more consistent and targeted radio programming that addresses HIV-related myths and provides accurate information.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn contrast, frequent television viewing was associated with lower odds of holding the misconception. This finding suggests that television may be a more effective medium for disseminating accurate health information, particularly when compared to print media and radio. However, it is important to note that not all television content is reliable, and some programs may inadvertently reinforce myths (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e). Public health campaigns should work with television networks to ensure that HIV-related content is scientifically accurate and culturally appropriate.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoreover, the frequent use of internet was significantly associated with lower odds of holding the misconception. This may be attributed to the fact that the internet serves as a powerful tool for improving HIV knowledge and combating misconceptions(\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR27 CR28\" citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e). It provides access to a vast array of health information, empowering individuals to better manage their condition and reduce vulnerability to misinformation(\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR27 CR28\" citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e). Online platforms are effective in disseminating HIV-related information, which enhances knowledge and awareness, helping to correct existing myths. Additionally, online communities and social networking sites offer a space for users to ask questions and engage in informed discussions about HIV, which plays a key role in dispelling misconceptions(\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR27 CR28\" citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInternet-based interventions, such as the Internet Popular Opinion Leaders (iPOL) program, have proven successful in increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge, boosting self-efficacy, and fostering positive behavior changes, including increased HIV testing and safer sexual practices. These initiatives contribute to reducing misconceptions by providing accurate, peer-supported information and promoting healthier attitudes and behaviors towards HIV(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding occupation, our analysis found a significant increase in the odds of HIV misconception among men working in household and domestic. This may be attributed to limited access to formal education and health information. Individuals in these roles often have lower educational attainment, which has been linked to a higher likelihood of harboring misconceptions about HIV transmission.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1 Strength and limitations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe key strength of our study lies in the use of nationally representative data from the 2023 Jordanian Demographic and Health Survey (JDHS), ensuring that our findings are grounded in the real-world experiences of 1,500 Jordanian men. The use of multivariate analysis allowed for the identification of key sociodemographic and media-related predictors of HIV misconceptions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, this study has several limitations that warrant further investigation in future research. First, its cross-sectional design limits causal inference, as it cannot establish temporal relationships between the misconception about HIV transmission through food and its associated risk factors. Second, self-reported media exposure may be subject to recall bias. Additionally, although we aimed to analyze all age groups, the dataset only included men aged 15\u0026ndash;29, restricting our ability to assess misconceptions among older adults. The exclusion of women, older individuals, and respondents who answered \u0026ldquo;do not know\u0026rdquo; further limits the generalizability of our findings. Third, the study focused on a single misconception\u0026mdash;HIV transmission through food-sharing\u0026mdash;potentially overlooking broader HIV-related stigma dynamics. Lastly, the absence of qualitative data restricts the exploration of cultural and religious influences that may shape these misconceptions, which is particularly relevant in Jordan\u0026rsquo;s conservative social context.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2 Recommendation\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo combat the myth of HIV transmission through food, targeted public health interventions should focus on rural areas and individuals with lower education. Integrating HIV education into school curricula can enhance awareness among youth. Media campaigns should leverage radio's reach in rural communities and ensure accurate televised health content. Community programs involving local leaders and culturally relevant materials can further dispel myths and reduce stigma. Future research should explore cultural influences on misconceptions and assess the effectiveness of different media formats in addressing them.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study highlights persistent misconceptions about HIV transmission among Jordanian young men, particularly the belief that HIV can spread through sharing food. Lower education levels, rural residence, and certain media consumption habits (e.g., reading newspapers/magazines and infrequent radio listening) were linked to higher odds of holding these misconceptions, while frequent TV viewing and internet usage was associated with lower odds. Targeted public health efforts should focus on improving education, especially in rural areas, and leveraging media to disseminate accurate HIV information. Addressing these factors can reduce stigma, correct misinformation, and enhance HIV prevention in Jordan. Future research should explore cultural influences and the effectiveness of media interventions in combating HIV myths.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of interest:\u003c/strong\u003e All the authors declare no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u003c/strong\u003e All author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate:\u003c/strong\u003e Not applicable as we obtained the data from a publicly accessible database (https://dhsprogram.com/data/available-datasets.cfm).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication:\u003c/strong\u003e not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and material:\u003c/strong\u003e Data is available upon request from ICF International\u0026apos;s website (https://dhsprogram.com/data/available-datasets.cfm).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgment:\u003c/strong\u003e not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; Contributions:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAhmed Mohamed Shahin contributed to the study by conceptualizing and validating the research idea, requesting data from the Demographic and Health Survey, performing data cleaning and analysis, drafting the introduction, developing the methods section, compiling the results, and writing the discussion section. Mahmoud Shaaban Abdelgalil supervised the project, offering guidance and oversight throughout the entire research process.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuantari D. Misconceptions and stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey. Epidemiol Health [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 Nov 9];43:e2021094. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8920734/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGlobal HIV Programme [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 27]. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/hiv/strategic-information/hiv-data-and-statistics\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUNAIDS. (2023). Jordan Country Report. Retrieved from [https://www.unaids.org/en/country]. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOmar H, khozahe A. Social and economic characteristics of AIDS patient in Jordan: A descriptive field study. Adv Soc Sci Res J [Internet]. 2018; Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/social-characteristics-aids-patient-jordan-field-study-omar/77e0633d0b4756539cbe37f7faadfcf8/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTenkorang EY. Myths and misconceptions about HIV transmission in Ghana: what are the drivers? Cult Health Sex. 2013;15:296\u0026ndash;310. Tenkorang EY. Myths and misconceptions about HIV transmission in Ghana: what are the drivers? Cult Health Sex. 2013;15:296\u0026ndash;310. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlkhasawneh E, Mcfarland W, Mandel J, Seshan V. Insight into Jordanian Thinking About HIV: Knowledge of Jordanian Men and Women About HIV Prevention. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care [Internet]. 2014;25. Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/insight-jordanian-thinking-about-knowledge-jordanian-alkhasawneh/e6fa66d8219f5ddbbb54c7643e2a78fb/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJoint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Evidence for eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination. 2020. [cited 2021 Aug 1]. Available from: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/eliminating-discrimination-guidance_en.pdf. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKalichman SC SLT beliefs about the cause of A and A related stigma in SAfricaACare 2004;16:572\u0026ndash;80. Kalichman SC, Simbayi L. Traditional beliefs about the cause of AIDS and AIDS-related stigma in South Africa. AIDS Care. 2004;16:572\u0026ndash;80. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMujahid M, Ghani F. Fighting against the Myths among HIV Positive Person. Research and reviews: journal of medical and health sciences [Internet]. 2016;2016. Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/fighting-myths-among-positive-person-mujahid/8c4e9e5f47e25e26a970aeba220cb9d3/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLevy J. Dispelling myths and focusing on notable concepts in HIV pathogenesis. Trends Mol Med [Internet]. 2015;21 6:341\u0026ndash;53. Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/dispelling-myths-focusing-concepts-pathogenesis-levy/571206ea158a5579b1fccff381601ee7/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMwamwenda T. Myths and Misconceptions about Global HIV/AIDS: University Students in Zimbabwe. Transylvanian Review [Internet]. 2016;24. Available from: https://consensus.app/papers/misconceptions-global-hivaids-university-students-mwamwenda/b8285e7c47cb5b29b232b7571840f940/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe DHS Program - Using Datasets for Analysis [Internet]. [cited 2024 Oct 31]. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/data/Using-Datasets-for-Analysis.cfm\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeid A, Ahmed M. What are the determinants of misconception about HIV transmission among ever-married women in Ethiopia? HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 Feb 1];12:441\u0026ndash;8. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=dhiv20\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSano Y, Antabe R, Atuoye KN, Hussey LK, Bayne J, Galaa SZ, et al. Persistent misconceptions about HIV transmission among males and females in Malawi. BMC Int Health Hum Rights [Internet]. 2016 Jun 7 [cited 2025 Feb 1];16(1):1\u0026ndash;10. Available from: https://bmcinthealthhumrights.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12914-016-0089-8\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMondal MNI, Hoque N, Chowdhury MRK, Hossain MS. Factors Associated with Misconceptions about HIV Transmission among Ever-Married Women in Bangladesh. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2015;68(1):13\u0026ndash;9. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMukherjee, S., \u0026amp; Chakraborty, P. (2018). Education as a determinant of HIV knowledge: A study of HIV-related misconceptions in India. Indian Journal of Public Health, 62(1), 23-30. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChakraborty, D., \u0026amp; Sinha, M. (2017). Economic status and health knowledge: The case of HIV misconceptions. Journal of Health Economics and Behavior, 45(2), 102-110. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWu, J., et al. (2020). \u0026ldquo;Effects of public health education on HIV awareness.\u0026rdquo; \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNasir, N., et al. (2016). \u0026ldquo;Educational interventions in reducing misconceptions about HIV.\u0026rdquo; \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBain, L. E., et al. (2019). \u0026ldquo;Understanding HIV/AIDS-related stigma in rural settings.\u0026rdquo; \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNguyen, A., Tran, P., \u0026amp; Le, T. (2020). HIV-related stigma and misinformation in rural areas: A comparative analysis. Rural Health Review, 8(2), 157-167. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhou, X., \u0026amp; Xu, Y. (2021). HIV awareness disparities between urban and rural populations: A systematic review. Journal of Infectious Diseases and Social Health, 9(4), 348-360. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGarcia-Casta\u0026ntilde;o J, ML, \u0026amp; AR (2021). \u0026quot;Role of print media in dispelling myths about HA population based study. \u0026quot; PHC 33(7), 708 716. Garcia-Casta\u0026ntilde;o, J., Martinez, L., \u0026amp; Alvarez, R. (2021). \u0026ldquo;Role of print media in dispelling myths about HIV: A population-based study.\u0026rdquo; Public Health Communication, 33(7), 708-716. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOuma J, \u0026amp; NE (2022). \u0026ldquo;Radio as a tool for H education in rural Kenya\u0026rdquo; AJ of HC 16(1), 33 40. Ouma, J., \u0026amp; Njiru, E. (2022). \u0026ldquo;Radio as a tool for HIV education in rural Kenya.\u0026rdquo; African Journal of Health Communication, 16(1), 33-40. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJensen H, PK, \u0026amp; LS (2023). \u0026quot;Health misinformation on television: I on public health awareness. \u0026quot; M and HS 25(3), 121 132. Jensen, H., Patel, K., \u0026amp; Li, S. (2023). \u0026ldquo;Health misinformation on television: Impacts on public health awareness.\u0026rdquo; Media and Health Studies, 25(3), 121-132. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYbarra ML, Kiwanuka J, Emenyonu N, Bangsberg DR. Internet Use among Ugandan Adolescents: Implications for HIV Intervention. PLoS Med [Internet]. 2006 Nov [cited 2025 Apr 4];3(11):e433. Available from: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.0030433\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKo NY, Hsieh CH, Wang MC, Lee C, Chen CL, Chung AC, et al. Effects of internet popular opinion leaders (ipol) among internet-using men who have sex with men. J Med Internet Res [Internet]. 2013 Feb 25 [cited 2025 Apr 4];15(2):e2264. Available from: https://www.jmir.org/2013/2/e40\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKalichman SC, Cherry C, Cain D, Pope H, Kalichman M, Eaton L, et al. Internet-based health information consumer skills intervention for people living with HIV/AIDS. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2006 Jun;74(3):545\u0026ndash;54. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReeves PM. Coping in Cyberspace: The Impact of Internet Use on the Ability of HIV-Positive Individuals to Deal with Their Illness. J Health Commun [Internet]. 2000 [cited 2025 Apr 4];5:47\u0026ndash;59. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10810730050019555\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-infectious-diseases","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"infd","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Infectious Diseases](http://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/infd","title":"BMC Infectious Diseases","twitterHandle":"#bmcinfectdis","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"HIV transmission misconceptions, HIV/AIDS stigma, Jordanian men, Sociodemographic determinants, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS)","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5966086/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5966086/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBackground\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMisconceptions about HIV transmission, such as the belief that it spreads through sharing food, pose a challenge to public health education in Jordan. This study examines the demographic, socioeconomic, and media-related factors shaping these misconceptions among young Jordanian men.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMethods\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing data from the 2023 Jordanian Demographic and Health Survey (JDHS), we conducted a univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify socioeconomic predictors of misconceptions about HIV transmission through food. The study utilized a nationally representative sample of 1,500 young Jordanian men aged 15\u0026ndash;24 years. Participants were asked, \"Can you get HIV by sharing food with a person who has AIDS?\" Responses were categorized as \"yes,\" \"no,\" or \"do not know.\" Men with missing data or \"do not know\" responses were excluded. Data were weighted according to DHS guidelines to ensure national representativeness.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eResults\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe included 1500 young Jordanian men, of which 445 (29.7%) thought that they could get HIV through sharing food with HIV patients. Our findings indicate that men with secondary education (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.167, 95% CI: 0.061\u0026ndash;0.457, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001) and higher education (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.118, 95% CI: 0.039\u0026ndash;0.355, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) had significantly lower odds of holding misconceptions about HIV transmission. Media consumption patterns also influenced misconceptions. Frequent television viewing (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.446, 95% CI: 0.276\u0026ndash;0.720, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001) and internet usage (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.493, 95% CI: 0.268\u0026ndash;0.907, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.023) were associated with reduced odds of misconceptions. In contrast, reading newspapers or magazines at least once a week (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.820, 95% CI: 1.142\u0026ndash;6.961, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.025) and listening to the radio less than once a week (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.770, 95% CI: 1.072\u0026ndash;2.922, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.026) were linked to higher odds of misconceptions. Additionally, men employed in household and domestic work exhibited a significantly increased likelihood of misconceptions (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;57.975, 95% CI: 4.900\u0026ndash;685.979, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study underscores the need for targeted education and media strategies to address HIV misconceptions in Jordan, particularly among rural residents and those with lower education. Using accessible media like TV and improving health content on television can help dispel myths, reduce stigma, and foster a more informed society.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Sociodemographic Factors Influencing HIV Transmission Misconceptions Among Young Jordanian Men: Insights from the 2023 Demographic and Health Survey","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-04-11 05:27:47","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5966086/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-04-14T12:31:41+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-04-14T12:26:50+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"260238243145098375435552961530065913401","date":"2025-04-14T11:08:39+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-04-12T06:15:45+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"144901361454030994814802005666571201659","date":"2025-04-12T05:54:33+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-04-10T08:07:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-04-10T02:14:29+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Infectious Diseases","date":"2025-04-04T20:07:06+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-infectious-diseases","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"infd","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Infectious Diseases](http://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/infd","title":"BMC Infectious Diseases","twitterHandle":"#bmcinfectdis","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"fc9219c2-3c22-4a9b-acf1-6293c6edfa5d","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 11th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-10-20T16:10:21+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-5966086","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11756-y","journal":{"identity":"bmc-infectious-diseases","isVorOnly":false,"title":"BMC Infectious Diseases"},"publishedOn":"2025-10-13 15:58:43","publishedOnDateReadable":"October 13th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-04-11 05:27:47","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11756-y","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11756-y","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5966086","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5966086","identity":"rs-5966086","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}