ArticlePDF Available

Socio-demographic Factors Associated with Uptake of HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) among Nigerian Youth

Authors:
  • Options Consultancy Services Limited
clinics (branded STI clinics) [AOR 1.2(CI-0.9-1.5), p <0.05 re-
spectively] were more likely to take-up VT&CR. Higher educa-
tion status ( >12 grade) increased the likelihood of VT&CR
uptake [AOR 1.8(CI-1.2-2.7), p <0.05], while unorganized la-
borers and truck/transport workers were less likely to undergo
VT&CR [AOR 0.6(CI-0.5-0.7), p <0.05 AOR 0.7(CI-0.5-0.9)
p<0.0 respectively]. Higher education was linked with increased
likelihood of collecting results: grades 6-12 and grades >12 were
less likely to have ‘‘not-collected’’ test reports [AOR 0.4(CI-.2-
0.9), p <0.05 A OR 0.1(CI-0.5-0.7), p <0.05 respectively].
Conclusions: We highlight the overall low uptake of VT among
clients of FSW and that not all test-seekers are collecting reports.
Program focus to improve test-seeking as well as report col-
lection is warranted through IEC campaigns as they have posi-
tively influenced uptake of VT&CR. Specific interventions
among less educated, unorganized laborers and truckers would
help in improving VT and CR among clients.
P09.09
Socio-demographic Factors Associated with Uptake
of HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT)
among Nigerian Youth
Ayodeji Oginni
1
, Otibho Obianwu
2
, Sylvia Adebajo
2
1
Population Council, Abuja, Nigeria,
2
Population Council, HIV,
Abuja, Nigeria
Background: HCT is an important gateway for HIV prevention
interventions as it educates sero-negative individuals on HIV
preventive behaviours and enables seropositive individuals to
gain access to treatment, care and support services. We evalu-
ated the socio-demographic factors associated with HCT-uptake
among Nigerian youth aged 15–24.
Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted on Nigeria’s
2012 National HIV/AIDS & Reproductive Health Survey data.
Multivariable log-binomial regression analysis was used to es-
timate adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) with 95% Confidence
intervals.
Results: Of the 10,091 youth, half were aged 15–19, 66.9% were
single, 65.7% were rural dwellers, 20.7% had no education, 46%
were students & 31.1% were employed. About 10.5% ever had
HCT & 3.5% tested positive in the survey. Multivariable anal-
ysis revealed that the aged 20–24 [APR =1.67(1.41-1.96)] were
more likely to have had HCT than the aged 15–19. HCT-uptake
increased with educational level [primary-APR =2.29(1.59-
3.32); secondary—APR =3.48(2.54-4.77) & higher-APR =
6.68(4.66-9.58)]. The non-Catholic [APR =1.60(1.36-1.89)]
and the Catholics [APR =1.85(1.51-2.26)] Christians were more
likely to have had HCT than the Muslims. Those having com-
prehensive knowledge of HIV [APR =2.09(1.83-2.39)] were
twice more likely to have had HCT. Students [APR =0.80(0.67-
0.94)] were less likely to have had HCT than the employed.
Those from poor-households [APR =0.63(0.51-0.77)] were less
likely to have had HCT than those from average-households.
Conclusions: HCT-uptake among young Nigerians is very low
despite the increased availability of free HCT services in the
country. The fact that being employed and having higher edu-
cational level and household wealth are associated with HCT-
uptake suggests that socio-economic barriers to HCT-uptake
persist among young people. The association with age may be
due to age of consent barriers faced by adolescents. More youth-
friendly interventions aimed at increasing HCT-uptake among
young Nigerians are urgently needed.
P09.10
HCT as a Point of Entry for HIV Prevention and
Treatment - Profile of Men and Women Presenting
at HCT Centers in Durban, South Africa
Jessica Lyn Phillip
1
, Renee Street
1
, Susie Hoffman
2
, Kelly
Blanchard
3
, Theresa Exner
4
, Elizabeth Kelvin
5
, Gita Ramjee
1,6
,
Joanne Mantell
2
1
HIV Prevention Research Unit, Medical Research Council,
Durban, South Africa,
2
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral
Studies and Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric
Institute, New York, NY, United States,
3
Ibis Reproductive
Health, Cambridge MA, USA and Johannesburg, South Africa,
Johannesburg, United Kingdom,
4
HIV Center for Clinical and
Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New
York, NY, United States,
5
CUNY School of Public Health at
Hunter College, New York, NY, United States,
6
London School
of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Department of Epidemiology
and Population Health, London, United Kingdom
Background: HIV Counselling and Testing is an important
component of HIV prevention and treatment. Early identifica-
tion of HIV-seropositive status will enable individuals to be
linked to HIV care and support. Pathways to Engagement in HIV
Care for Newly-Diagnosed South Africans was a prospective
cohort study that enrolled newly-diagnosed HIV positive indi-
viduals and followed them up for 8 months post diagnosis to
explore the barriers and facilitators of enrolling and staying in
care. To describe the socio-demographic profile of men and
women presenting at PHC clinics for HCT.
Methods: Between November 2010 and May 2012, we screened
2935 individuals from 3 public-sector primary health care clinics
in the Durban, South Africa. Women and men who presented for
HCT (as opposed to antenatal care) were sequentially approached
prior to testing and invited to participate in a screening interview.
Eligibility criteria were: 18 years or older, not cognitively im-
paired, not pregnant, not having previously been diagnosed
HIV +, willing to provide written informed consent, to have a
witness if illiterate, and to share test results with study staff.
Results: Of screened participants, 2746 met the eligibility cri-
teria. Level of education varied, with 38.4% participants having
completed Grade 12. Over 91% were unmarried, of which 79%
reported having a steady partner. Half of the participants
(53.4%) indicated that they were unemployed but were looking
for work. Only 16.5% reported being employed full time. Self-
motivation for HIV testing was reported by 70.4% of partici-
pants, with no difference by gender; 17.4% were motivated by
family/friend. However, few reported testing because they were
encouraged by the clinic staff. Prior testing was reported by
46%, including 57% of women and 33% of men.
Conclusions: Public health benefit would be for HCT programs
to tailor interventions for effective gender-based counselling.
HIV prevention education should take into account motivations
for HIV testing.
P09.11
The ‘‘Worried Well’’ Among Clients Attending
HIV/AIDS Counselling and Testing Services
at a Clinical Research Centre in SW Uganda
Richard Rwanyonga
1
, Andrew Abaasa
1
, Gershim Asiki
1
,
Benjamin Twefeho
1
, Ubaldo Bahemuka
1
, Emanuel Aling
1
,
Eugene Ruzagira
1
, Matthew A. Price
2
, Anatoli Kamali
1
A113
... Barriers to the utilization of VHCT services include lack of awareness, financial constraints, fear of testing positive and stigma. Other barriers include concerns about privacy, low-risk perceptions, and poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS [5,7,8]. ...
... In addition, the findings showed that socio-demographic factors were not associated with the utilization of VHCT services [14]. These findings are contrary to existing findings [8,24]. A similar study in Nigeria found an association between urban residence, secondary education, and the uptake of HIV testing services among young people [22]. ...
... Barriers to the utilization of VHCT services include lack of awareness, financial constraints, fear of testing positive and stigma. Other barriers include concerns about privacy, low-risk perceptions, and poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS [5,7,8]. ...
... In addition, the findings showed that socio-demographic factors were not associated with the utilization of VHCT services [14]. These findings are contrary to existing findings [8,24]. A similar study in Nigeria found an association between urban residence, secondary education, and the uptake of HIV testing services among young people [22]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VHCT) is a successful intervention for fostering early HIV detection, which is essential for the management of the disease. This study sought to determine the prevalence and factors that influence the utilization of VHCT services among young people. In this study, young people in the Tema Metropolis were cross-sectionally surveyed. The simple random sampling method was used to select the participants. The majority (60%) of the participants were unaware of VHCT, and 83% did not know of any VHCT centre. The majority (72%) of the participants indicated that VHCT was important, and 81% were willing to test for HIV if VHCT services were available in schools. Young people who knew that parental consent was not a requirement during VHCT were about two times more likely to have been tested for HIV (COR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.05–3.63) compared to their counterparts. Additionally, young people who were willing to test in youth-friendly clinics (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.09–7.51) had higher odds of testing for HIV compared to their counterparts. The utilisation of VHCT services among young people in Tema was found to be very low. Additionally, young people’s knowledge of VHCT services was below expectations.
... al, 2001;Takarinda et. al 2014;Oginni, Obianwu, and Adebajo, 2014). Two reasons could be suggested for this finding. ...
... It must be mentioned that, contrary to the findings of this study, various studies have shown that social, economic factors such as education, work status, wealth status, type of place of residence are associated with HIV testing (Brima et. al. 2015;Oginni, Obianwu, and Adebajo, 2014;Leta, Sandøy, Fylkesnes, 2012). Although these variables were associated with HIV testing in bivariate analyses, the variables were not significantly related to HIV testing in the multivariate analyses. ...
Article
Full-text available
South Africa has one of the largest concentrations of people living with HIV and AIDS in the world. HIV testing is one of the strategies in the HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs in South Africa. However, utilization of this service is low especially among young people. The objective of the study is to establish the factors influencing HIV testing among young people in South Africa.
... Considering residence, women who were residing in urban areas have higher odds to undertake premarital HIV testing. This finding is consistent with a study done in Malawi [24], and Nigeria [25,26]. The reason for this may be better availability and accessibility of HIV testing facilities in urban settings. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background Premarital HIV testing offers an opportunity where prospective couples can know their HIV status before marriage to prevent both heterosexual and vertical transmission of HIV. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether there is any significant difference in the prevalence of premarital HIV testing among women who had autonomous versus non-autonomous marriage, and to investigate the factors associated with premarital HIV testing among women who had autonomous versus non-autonomous marriage in Ethiopia. Methods Data were extracted from 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey dataset and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Frequencies and weighted percentage of the variables, and second-order Rao-Scott statistic were computed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors between the two groups. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was considered to state statistically significant associations. Result From 9602 included sample, 4,043 (42.1%) of the women had autonomous marriage, and 5,559(57.9%) of the women had non-autonomous marriage. The prevalence of premarital HIV testing in Ethiopia among women who had autonomous marriage was 30.5% (95% CI: 27.7–33.4%) compared to 20.6% (95% CI: 18.5–22.8) among women who had a non-autonomous marriage. No differences in associated factors were found between women who had autonomous versus non autonomous marriage to uptake HIV testing. In both groups, residence in rural area, education attainment (primary, secondary, higher), media access, being rich and richest, knowing the places for HIV testing, chewing chat, and drinking alcohol were significantly predicts premarital HIV testing. Conclusion The study indicated that 10% more women in autonomous marriage tested for HIV relative to non-autonomous women whilst being an urban resident, educated, having access to media, household wealth and knowledge of testing facilities significantly predict HIV testing among women in Ethiopia. The paper recommends the Ethiopian government shall expand access to education among women while improving their access to media to enhance their socioeconomic wellbeing and health. Furthermore, it is better to inspire women to undergo autonomous marriage by fostering education in the community to enhance premarital HIV testing.
... HIVST is a process by which individuals collect their own oral fluid or blood specimen, conduct the HIV test, and interpret their results [28]. HIVST can help expand HIV testing services among those who have never tested before, such as many youth in Nigeria [28,29]. The objective of this paper is to describe the designathon, summarize the resulting HIVST proposals, and discuss public health implications. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background Youth are at high risk for HIV, but are often left out of designing interventions, including those focused on adolescents. We organized a designathon for Nigerian youth to develop HIV self-testing (HIVST) strategies for potential implementation in their local communities. A designathon is a problem-focused event where participants work together over a short period to create and present solutions to a judging panel. Methods We organized a 72-h designathon for youth (14–24 years old) in Nigeria to design strategies to increase youth HIVST uptake. Proposals included details about HIVST kit service delivery, method of distribution, promotional strategy, and youth audience. Teams pitched their proposals to a diverse seven-member judging panel who scored proposals based on desirability, feasibility, potential impact and teamwork. We examined participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and summarized themes from their HIVST proposals. Results Forty-two youth on 13 teams participated in the designathon. The median team size was 3 participants (IQR: 2–4). The median age was 22.5 years (IQR: 21–24), 66.7% were male, 47.4% completed tertiary education, and 50% lived in Lagos State. Themes from proposals included HIVST integration with other health services, digital marketing and distribution approaches, and engaging students. Judges identified seven teams with exceptional HIVST proposals and five teams were supported for further training. Conclusions The designathon provided a structured method for incorporating youth ideas into HIV service delivery. This approach could differentiate HIV services to be more youth-friendly in Nigeria and other settings.
... Previous studies have identified age, residence, education status, wealth index, used condom at last sex, consistent condom use, access to general medical care, access to HIV testing, knowledge of HIV, and substance use [19][20][21][22][23][24][25] as factors that affect HIV testing. But the identified factors vary from population to population and from country to country. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: In developing countries, youth women are most at risk of HIV infection. Center for Disease Control recommends that people who participate in high-risk behaviors get tested for HIV at least annually. In 2016, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health set goals to identify 90% of the people living with HIV by 2030. But undiagnosed HIV infections are still high in the country. To alleviate the problem, it is vital to identify the factors that hinder HIV testing practice. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers of HIV testing practice among Ethiopian youth women. Methods: The analysis was done on 6401 women aged 15-24 years using data from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic Health Survey (EDHS). The main outcome variable was self-reported HIV testing practice. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the facilitators and barriers of HIV testing practice. Results: In this study, 37.7% [95% CI: (33.6, 39.1)] of youth women were tested for HIV in their life. Being married (AOR=4.7; 95% CI: (3.67, 6.01)), divorced [AOR=6.2; 95% CI: (3.98-9.54)], having primary level of education [AOR=2.4;95% CI: (1.79-3.13)], and secondary level of education [AOR=4.0; 95% CI: (2.87-5.63)], being rich [AOR=2.3;95% CI: (1.39-3.91)] and being in the highest wealth index catagory [AOR=2.6;95% CI: (1.30-5.16)] increase the odds of HIV testing. However, lack of media acccess [AOR = 0.7; 95 CI %: (0.54-0.87)], lack of comprehensive HIV knowledge [AOR = 0.68; 65% CI: (0.53-0.86)] and having discriminatory attitude towards PLHIV[AOR=0.79;95% CI: (0.64-0.97)] decrease the odds of HIV testing. Conclusion: The practice of HIV testing among youth populations was low as compared to national recommendations. Lack of media access, lack of comprehensive knowledge about HIV, and having discriminatory attitudes were the barriers to HIV testing practice. Marriage, secondary or higher education attainment, and high wealth index category were the facilitators for HIV testing. Improving HIV-related knowledge, improving media access, and minimizing discriminatory attitudes are strongly recommended to promote HIV testing practice.
... Our finding is similar compared to previous studies. 10,[19][20][21][22][23] The reason for this may be better availability and accessibility of HIV testing facilities in urban settings. 24 Rural residence is associated with lower uptake of HIV testing. ...
Article
Full-text available
p class="abstract"> Background: Survey data in Sub-Saharan African countries in the 2005 to 2010 period showed that only 10% men and 15% women aged 15 to 24 years were aware of their human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. This study aims to assess: magnitude of HIV testing, and socio demographic factors associated with it among adults age 15-49 years. Methods: Demographic and health surveys in 2016, in Ethiopia were analyzed in SPSS, using multivariate logistic regression. We used HIV testing as the outcome variable using the recommended definition by Ethiopia demographic and health survey (EDHS) 2016. Descriptive statistics were employed to show the distribution of socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Of the total sample of 27289 of men and women 15-49 years at the time of survey, 19.4% (n=5295) have been tested for HIV in the past 12 months and received the results of the last test. Men and women in the 15-19 age group 9.952 (AOR 9.95295% CI 6.156-16.091) and men and women age 15-49 years in urban areas (AOR 34.040; 95% CI: 21.028-55.105) were found significant predictors of HIV testing. Conclusions: HIV testing among adults age 15-49 years in Ethiopia was low. Age and place of residence were found significant predictors of HIV testing there remain a high proportion of undiagnosed HIV-infected persons and for the Ethiopian government there is a need for innovative strategies aimed at increasing HIV-testing, particularly for rural areas and those beyond adolescent age.</p
... HIVST is a process by which individuals collect their own oral uid or blood specimen, conduct the HIV test, and interpret their results [28]. HIVST can help expand HIV testing services among those who have never tested before, such as many youth in Nigeria [28,29]. The objective of this paper is to describe the designathon, summarize the resulting HIVST proposals, and discuss public health implications. ...
Preprint
Full-text available
Background: Youth are at high risk for HIV, but are often left out of designing interventions, including those focused on adolescents. We organized a designathon for Nigerian youth to develop HIV self-testing (HIVST) strategies for potential implementation in their local communities. A designathon is a problem-focused event where participants work together over a short period to create and present solutions to a judging panel. Methods: We organized a 72-hour designathon for youth (14-24 years old) in Nigeria to design strategies to increase youth HIVST uptake. Proposals included details about HIVST kit service delivery, method of distribution, promotional strategy, and youth audience. Teams pitched their proposals to a diverse seven-member judging panel who scored proposals based on desirability, feasibility, potential impact and teamwork. We examined participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and summarized themes from their HIVST proposals. Results: Forty-two youth on 13 teams participated in the designathon. The median team size was 3 participants (IQR: 2–4). The median age was 22.5 years (IQR: 21–24), 66.7% were male, 47.4% completed tertiary education, and 50% lived in Lagos State. Themes from proposals included HIVST integration with other health services, digital marketing and distribution approaches, and engaging students. Judges identified seven teams with exceptional HIVST proposals and five teams were supported for further training. Conclusions: The designathon provided a structured method for incorporating youth ideas into HIV service delivery. This approach could differentiate HIV services to be more youth-friendly in Nigeria and other settings.
... Considering residence, women who were residing in urban area have higher odds to undertake premarital HIV testing. This finding is consistent with a study done in Malawi [21], and Nigeria [30,31]. The reason for this may be better availability and accessibility of HIV testing facilities in urban settings. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background Premarital HIV testing is the key entry point in prevention, care, treatment, and support services, in which people learn their HIV status and its implications to make informed decisions about their health. This study was, therefore, conducted to identify factors associated with premarital HIV testing among married women in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used, and secondary data analysis was done using 2016 Ethiopian demographic health survey (EDHS). Two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique was used. The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Frequencies and weighted percentage of the variables, and second-order Rao-Scott statistic were computed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to control confounders and to identify predictors of premarital HIV testing. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was considered to declare statistically significant associations. Result The total sample comprised 9602 married women. In this study, the odds of premarital HIV testing were associated with being urban residents (AOR: 1.81; 95% CI: 2.74–5.20), attended primary education (AOR:1.54; 95%:1.27–1.87), secondary education (AOR:2.34; 95% CI:1.70–3.23), higher education (AOR:2.92; 95% CI:1.90–4.50), access to media (AOR: 1.44; 95% CI:1.20–1.76), being rich (AOR: 1.52; 95%CI:1.12–2.07), andrichest (AOR: 1.67;95%CI:1.15–2.44), known the place of HIV testing (AOR: 4.95; 95% CI:3.44–7.11), discriminatory attitude to PLHIV (AOR: 1.47; 95%CI:1.23–1.76), being khat chewer(AOR: 1.60;95%CI:1.11–2.31), and alcohol drinker (AOR: 1.55; 95% CI:1.27–1.90). Conclusion It is possible to conclude that being urban resident, attending education (primary, secondary, higher), media access, improved wealth index, knowing the places for HIV testing, chewing khat, drinking alcohol, and having discriminatory attitude towards PLHIV were positively associated with premarital HIV testing. The Ethiopian government needs to step up efforts to expand education for all Women. Advancing access to HIV testing for rural women may also increase premarital HIV testing services uptake. Further qualitative researches need to be done to assess the relationship between discriminatory attitude towards PLHIV and premarital HIV testing.
Article
Full-text available
Feminism has always altered predominant perspectives in a wide range of areas within Western society, ranging from culture to law. Feminist activists have campaigned for women's legal rights to be recognised in society, rights such as rights of contract, property rights, and voting rights. Inclusive were women's rights to bodily integrity and autonomy, objectives such as the right for abortion, and reproductive rights (including access to contraception and quality prenatal care) which were also key. Moreover, there has been a call for the protection of women and girls from domestic violence, sexual harassment, and rape; for workplace rights, including maternity leave and equal pay; against misogyny; and gender-based discrimination against women. Looking at all the rights it has advocated for, Feminism seems to have overlooked seeking rights for believing in and respecting the abilities and talents of women as well as acknowledging women's contributions to society. This oversight has led to women not trusting each other and seeing each other from a racial social lens as feminism on its own never seemed to affect all areas. From this point, the study seeks to find the difference between feminism and womanism and what the position of a black female in the scenario is. From the findings, the study will conclude by coming up with an African philosophical model that can promote unison amongst women irrespective of their ideologies. KeyWords: Feminism, African Womanism, liberalism, and gender-based roles, ubuntu
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.