Identifying sociodemographic, sexual and behavioural determinants of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW)

Abstract

The study aimed at identifying sociodemographic, sexual, and behavioural determinants of HIV testing that can guide targeted interventions. The cross-sectional study analysed data from the 2019/20 Sub-Saharan African area's demographic and health survey, a nationally representative population-based survey. The study assessed the prevalence of ever having tested for HIV and examined its associations with sociodemographic, sexual, and behavioural factors, among AGYW between 15 and 24 years. Survey-weighted bivariate analyses were conducted, followed by multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of HIV testing. Results indicate 1,083 AGYW; 45.3% reported ever being tested for HIV. In adjusted analyses, higher education (aOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.15–7.72), being married/in union (aOR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.43–5.58), comprehensive HIV knowledge (aOR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.73–4.60), having ever been pregnant (aOR = 7.11, 95% CI: 4.14–12.20), and women in the poorer (aOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.18–3.70, p = 0.011) and middle (aOR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.00–3.71, p = 0.049) quintiles were significantly associated with HIV testing. Age, residence, employment status, and behavioural risk factors were not significantly associated with HIV testing in multivariate analysis.<br>