{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,16]],"date-time":"2026-04-16T23:51:20Z","timestamp":1776383480879,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]],"date-time":"2026-03-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773014400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,17]],"date-time":"2026-04-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776384000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":39,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sci Rep"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>Female adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 15\u201324 bear up to a threefold higher burden of HIV and face nearly twice the susceptibility to infection compared with males of the same age group. A comprehensive knowledge of HIV is critical for effective prevention of the virus. However, substantial gender disparities persist in HIV knowledge. This study assessed male and female differences in comprehensive HIV knowledge among AYAs in Ethiopia and identify key drivers of these disparities. This study used a cross-sectional design with secondary data analysis of the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). Male and female AYAs aged 15 to 24 were included in the study. Comprehensive HIV knowledge was the outcome variable. Explanatory variables included age, educational attainment, marital status, occupation, household wealth, media exposure, and region of residence. Sample weighting was applied. Descriptive statistics and multivariate decomposition analysis were conducted to assess gender disparities. The decomposition model separated differences into explained (endowments) and unexplained (coefficient effects) components. A total of 10,597 AYAs (6,143 females and 4,455 males) were included in the analysis. Only 30.5% (95% CI: 29.6, 31.4) of AYAs demonstrated comprehensive HIV knowledge, with markedly higher levels among male AYAs (39.1%) compared with female AYAs (24.33%). Urban residents had higher HIV knowledge than their rural counterparts, males (52.3%) and females (58.3%). Education and occupation were significant contributors to the knowledge difference between males and females, with individuals who had higher education or were employed showing better HIV knowledge. Internet use and media exposure also played a crucial role, with those exposed demonstrating significantly higher HIV knowledge. Gender disparities in HIV knowledge were primarily driven by education, occupation, and region. There are significant gender disparities in HIV knowledge among AYAs in Ethiopia, with males generally exhibiting higher levels of knowledge than females. The findings highlight the need for targeted HIV education programs that address these gender gaps, particularly for young women, who are more vulnerable to HIV infection. Socioeconomic factors, including education, residence, and media exposure, play a crucial role in shaping HIV knowledge. Efforts to enhance HIV knowledge through gender-sensitive interventions are crucial for improving prevention efforts and ultimately reducing HIV incidence in Ethiopia and similar contexts.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-026-43778-0","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]],"date-time":"2026-03-09T02:44:35Z","timestamp":1773024275000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Gender disparities in comprehensive knowledge of HIV among adolescents and young adults in Ethiopia: A decomposition analysis"],"prefix":"10.1038","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-3440-3647","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mekdes Tamiru","family":"Yizengaw","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Samrawit Birhanu","family":"Alemu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Aynalem","family":"Belay","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Melaku Birhanu","family":"Alemu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"43778_CR1","unstructured":"UNAIDS & Global, H. I. V. & AIDS statistics - Fact sheet 2024 [Available from: https:\/\/www.unaids.org\/en\/resources\/fact-sheet"},{"key":"43778_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2147\/HIV.S266539","author":"B Kefale","year":"2020","unstructured":"Kefale, B. et al. Predictors of comprehensive knowledge of HIV\/AIDS among people aged 15\u201349 years in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis. HIV AIDS Res. Palliat. Care. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2147\/HIV.S266539 (2020).","journal-title":"HIV AIDS Res. Palliat. Care."},{"key":"43778_CR3","unstructured":"UNAIDS & HIV AND ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN 2024 [Available from: https:\/\/www.unaids.org\/sites\/default\/files\/media_asset\/2024-unaids-global-aids-update-adolescent-girls-young-women_en.pdf"},{"key":"43778_CR4","unstructured":"SHEET F. Global HIV statistics People living with HIV People living with HIV accessing an retroviral therapy New HIV infections AIDS- related deaths Key Populations. (2023)."},{"key":"43778_CR5","unstructured":"University IaC. Ethiopia Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment.; (2018)."},{"issue":"1","key":"43778_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-18105-9","volume":"24","author":"BL Seifu","year":"2024","unstructured":"Seifu, B. L., Eshun, G., Tesema, G. A. & Kyei-Arthur, F. Comprehensive knowledge about HIV\/AIDS and associated factors among reproductive age women in Liberia. BMC Public Health. 24(1), 619 (2024).","journal-title":"BMC Public Health."},{"key":"43778_CR7","unstructured":"UNAIDS. Women and girls and HIV. (2022)."},{"issue":"1","key":"43778_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12879-022-07124-9","volume":"22","author":"AB Teshale","year":"2022","unstructured":"Teshale, A. B. et al. Comprehensive knowledge about HIV\/AIDS and associated factors among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa: A multilevel analysis using the most recent demographic and health survey of each country. BMC Infect. Dis. 22(1), 130 (2022).","journal-title":"BMC Infect. Dis."},{"key":"43778_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Odimegwu, C. O. A. J. & Alabi, O. O. HIV-Stigma in Nigeria. Review of Research Studies, Policies, and Programmes. (2017).","DOI":"10.1155\/2017\/5812650"},{"key":"43778_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chory, A., Gillette, E., Callen, G., Wachira, J., Sam-Agudu, N.A., Bond, K. and Vreeman, R., 2023. Gender differences in HIV knowledge among adolescents and young people in low-and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 5, p.1154395.","DOI":"10.3389\/frph.2023.1154395"},{"key":"43778_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Agyemang, S., Buor, D. & Tagoe-Darko, E. The extent of knowledge about HIV\/AIDS among young people in the Ejura-Sekyedumase district of Ghana. (2012).","DOI":"10.5897\/JAHR12.023"},{"issue":"7","key":"43778_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0003450","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pgph.0003450","volume":"4","author":"C Nzelu","year":"2024","unstructured":"Nzelu, C., Nzelu, U., Ugwunze, A. U. & Azodoh, N. Determinants of comprehensive knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention among women of reproductive age 15\u201349 years in Nigeria. PLoS Glob. Public Health 4(7), e0003450 (2024).","journal-title":"PLoS Glob. Public Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"43778_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"45","DOI":"10.1186\/s12961-024-01128-4","volume":"22","author":"M Tsegaw","year":"2024","unstructured":"Tsegaw, M., Mulat, B., Shitu, K. & Barrow, A. Comprehensive HIV knowledge and associated factors among reproductive-age women: Analysis of the Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2019\/2020. Health Res. Policy Syst. 22(1), 45 (2024).","journal-title":"Health Res. Policy Syst."},{"key":"43778_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2147\/HIV.S266539","author":"B Kefale","year":"2020","unstructured":"Kefale, B., Damtie, Y., Yalew, M., Adane, B. & Arefaynie, M. Predictors of comprehensive knowledge of HIV\/AIDS among people aged 15\u201349 years in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis. HIV\/AIDS https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2147\/HIV.S266539 (2020).","journal-title":"HIV\/AIDS"},{"issue":"1","key":"43778_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1603","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-020-09687-1","volume":"20","author":"BB Abate","year":"2020","unstructured":"Abate, B. B., Kassie, A. M., Reta, M. A., Ice, G. H. & Haile, Z. T. Residence and young women\u2019s comprehensive HIV knowledge in Ethiopia. BMC Public Health 20(1), 1603 (2020).","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"43778_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"169","DOI":"10.1186\/s12982-024-00288-6","volume":"21","author":"SB Alemu","year":"2024","unstructured":"Alemu, S. B., Abate, A. B., Yizengaw, M. T., Anebo, S. H. & Alemu, M. B. Wealth-related disparities of comprehensive knowledge of HIV among reproductive-aged women in Ethiopia: A decomposition analysis. Discover Public Health 21(1), 169 (2024).","journal-title":"Discover Public Health"},{"key":"43778_CR17","unstructured":"YD. W. Women\u2019s autonomy and reproductive health-care-seeking behavior in Ethiopia. (2017)."},{"key":"43778_CR18","unstructured":"Demographic, C. E. Health Survey-2011. Central Statistical Agency Addis Ababa. Ethiopia ICF International Calverton, Maryland, USA. 2016. (2012)."},{"key":"43778_CR19","volume-title":"Health survey (EDHS) 2016: key indicators report, central statistical agency Addis Ababa, Ethiopia","author":"Demographic E","year":"2016","unstructured":"Demographic E. Health survey (EDHS) 2016: key indicators report, central statistical agency Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (The DHS Program ICF, 2016)."},{"issue":"3","key":"43778_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0299443","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0299443","volume":"19","author":"MB Alemu","year":"2024","unstructured":"Alemu, M. B., Debie, A., Alemu, S. B. & Tessema, G. A. Residential and wealth-related disparities of high fertility preferences in Ethiopia: A decomposition analysis. PLoS One 19(3), e0299443 (2024).","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"issue":"7","key":"43778_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"888","DOI":"10.1080\/09540121.2020.1844860","volume":"33","author":"P Nabunya","year":"2021","unstructured":"Nabunya, P. et al. Gender, HIV knowledge and prevention attitudes among adolescents living with HIV participating in an economic empowerment intervention in Uganda. AIDS Care 33(7), 888\u2013896 (2021).","journal-title":"AIDS Care"},{"key":"43778_CR22","unstructured":"Paul, M., Majumdar, B., Akhtar-Danesh, N., Boblin, S. & Sherifali, D. The gendered knowledge of HIV\/AIDS among urban University students in Southern Ethiopia. Eur. Sci. J. ;9(21). (2013)."},{"key":"43778_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2025.118652","volume":"386","author":"MB Alemu","year":"2025","unstructured":"Alemu, M. B. et al. Adolescents and young adults\u2019 preferences for sexual and reproductive health services in Ethiopia: Evidence from three discrete choice experiments. Soc. Sci. Med. 386, 118652 (2025).","journal-title":"Soc. Sci. Med."},{"issue":"1","key":"43778_CR24","first-page":"20","volume":"3","author":"HAKM Ugboma","year":"2011","unstructured":"Ugboma, H. A. K. M. & Nwauche, C. A. Gender differences in students\u2019 knowledge of HIV\/AIDS in the Niger Delta. Niger. J. Clin. Med. Res. 3(1), 20\u201322 (2011).","journal-title":"Niger. J. Clin. Med. Res."},{"issue":"1","key":"43778_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1397","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-023-16311-5","volume":"23","author":"JA Nutakor","year":"2023","unstructured":"Nutakor, J. A. et al. A multiplicative effect of education and wealth associated with HIV-related knowledge and attitudes among Ghanaian women. BMC Public Health 23(1), 1397 (2023).","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"issue":"9","key":"43778_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jia2.25787","volume":"24","author":"R van der Wal","year":"2021","unstructured":"van der Wal, R. et al. HIV-sensitive social protection for vulnerable young women in East and Southern Africa: A systematic review. J. Int. AIDS Soc. 24(9), e25787 (2021).","journal-title":"J. Int. AIDS Soc."},{"key":"43778_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4236\/psych.2014.57084","author":"IS Muli","year":"2014","unstructured":"Muli, I. S. The relationship between access to mass media and HIV\/AIDS related knowledge, beliefs and behaviours in Kenya. Psychology https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4236\/psych.2014.57084 (2014).","journal-title":"Psychology"},{"issue":"1","key":"43778_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"714","DOI":"10.1186\/s12879-020-05436-2","volume":"20","author":"TK Dadi","year":"2020","unstructured":"Dadi, T. K., Feyasa, M. B. & Gebre, M. N. HIV knowledge and associated factors among young Ethiopians: Application of multilevel order logistic regression using the 2016 EDHS. BMC Infect. Dis. 20(1), 714 (2020).","journal-title":"BMC Infect. Dis."}],"container-title":["Scientific Reports"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-43778-0","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-43778-0.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-43778-0.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,16]],"date-time":"2026-04-16T23:06:27Z","timestamp":1776380787000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-43778-0"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]]},"references-count":28,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["43778"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-026-43778-0","relation":{},"ISSN":["2045-2322"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2045-2322","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]]},"assertion":[{"value":"4 June 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"6 March 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"9 March 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}},{"value":"The Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) dataset was available to the general public upon request on the DHS website:\n                      \n                      . We submitted a request to the DHS, briefly stating the objectives of this analysis, and thereafter received permission to download the maternal record dataset.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}}],"article-number":"12634"}}