Table 1 Characteristics of women surveyed in the Belize MICS in 2006, 2011, and 2015–2016

Age-group (Years)

 15–24 years

37.71

38.18

38.01

 25–34 years

28.59

29.17

30.14

 35 + 

33.70

32.65

31.85

Ethnicity

 Creole

24.61

24.04

24.81

 Mestizo

47.79

49.96

51.25

 Garifuna

6.69

6.19

5.36

 Maya

11.87

9.94

10.72

 Other

9.04

9.88

7.86

Language

 English/Creole

38.31

39.16

39.52

 Spanish

43.64

45.42

44.24

 Other

18.05

15.42

16.24

Marital Status

 Currently married

N/A

58.28

62.46

 Formerly married

N/A

11.94

10.48

 Never married

N/A

29.78

27.06

Ever given birth

 No

31.35

33.39

34.44

 Yes

68.65

66.61

65.56

Religion

 Roman Catholic

51.24

40.93

37.79

 Protestant/Other

40.92

46.26

45.25

 None

7.84

12.81

16.95

Area of Residence

 Urban

52.07

47.01

45.16

 Rural

47.93

52.99

54.84

District of Residency

 Corozal

15.05

13.04

12.48

 Orange Walk

14.64

15.09

15.68

 Belize City

30.30

16.77

17.12

 Belize Southside

N/A

13.98

9.00

 Cayo

21.18

22.78

13.22

 Stann Creek

10.61

9.87

22.58

 Toledo

8.22

8.47

9.92

Women’s Education

 None/Primary

54.27

42.88

42.31

 Secondary/Higher

45.73

57.12

57.69

Wealth Index Quintiles

 Poorest

16.87

15.73

16.91

 Second

19.04

19.91

20.13

 Middle

20.61

21.40

21.18

 Fourth

21.34

21.05

21.75

 Richest

22.15

21.91

20.03

HIV Knowledge

 Poor knowledge

19.44

16.33

17.06

 Good Knowledge

80.56

83.67

82.94

Attitude towards HIV

 Rejecting attitudes

54.29

43.11

41.64

 Accepting attitudes

45.71

56.89

58.36