Examining Women's HIV Protective Behaviors in Nepal.

This article examines the relationship between women's autonomy, attitudes toward intimate partner violence (IPV), HIV-related knowledge, and HIV protective behaviors among ever-married women in Nepal using data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (2016–2021). The study finds that higher women's autonomy is associated with a lower likelihood of having multiple sexual partners and a greater likelihood of HIV testing, while HIV knowledge also positively influences testing behavior. Sociodemographic factors such as employment, education, urban residence, age, and religious affiliation further affect these behaviors. The findings suggest that HIV prevention efforts in Nepal should focus on enhancing women's social and economic empowerment and expanding access to HIV knowledge and testing, particularly in rural areas, with community-based approaches and task shifting playing key roles.