HIV/AIDS-related information needs of urban and rural residents of northwest Ethiopia: alerting the rural populace and meeting the progressive needs of the urban populace

Abstract

Urban and rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa are characterized by different HIV/AIDS epidemiological and socio-ecological contexts. Against a backdrop of such variations, the present study assessed the impacts of urbanity vs. rurality on HIV/AIDS-related information needs. Cross-sectional survey data were gathered from 995 respondents in northwest Ethiopia. The findings indicated that urban residents’ concern about and information needs on HIV/AIDS was greater than that of the rural populace. Urban and rural residents were also found to be significantly different in their preferences for specific types of HIV/AIDS-related information. While rurality was found to be associated with a preference for basic HIV transmission and prevention information, urbanity was associated with a preference for information on HIV/AIDS-related care and support. Implications for HIV/AIDS information campaigns are discussed.