Prevalence and determinants of HIV Testing-Seeking Behaviors Among women of Reproductive age in Tanzania: Analysis of the 2022 Demographic and health survey

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Aim: </bold>HIV remains one of the major epidemics and public health concerns within low and middle-income countries such as Tanzania. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and the factors associated with HIV testing-seeking behaviours among women of childbearing age in Tanzania. <bold>Methods: </bold>This was a cross-sectional national survey that was conducted in 2022 in Tanzania by the ministries of health of mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The 2022 TDHS-MIS employed Household, Women’s Questionnaire, Men’s Questionnaire, the Child Health Questionnaire and the Micronutrient Questionnaire. All the data analysis and cleaning were done using STATA version 17 at a significance level of p &lt; 0.05 and 95% CI. <bold>Results:</bold>This study included 2531 women with 2354 having ever tested for HIV while 177 had never tested for HIV. Not employed [AOR:0.35, CI (0.20-0.61)] has lower odds of HIV testing than All-year employed status. Rural residents have reduced odds of HIV testing [ AOR:0.43, CI (0.21-0.88)] compared to women living in urban areas. Those able to ask their partner to use a condom are more likely to have been tested with increased odds [ AOR: 3.52, CI (2.31-5.37)]. Participants with a history of genital discharge [ AOR:4.30, CI (1.28-14.46)] and those who don’t know their genital discharge history have [ AOR: 0.20, CI (0.07-0.55)] are significant for HIV testing. Women who have heard about PrEP but are not uncertain about its approval [AOR: 36.07, CI (3.33-390.25)], respondents who have tested before with HIV testing kits [ AOR:35.99, CI (4.00-324.13)] and women who are aware of HIV testing kids but never tested with them before [ AOR: 2.80, CI (1.19-6.58)] are predictors of HIV testing seeking behaviours. <bold>Conclusion: </bold>Unemployed individuals, Participants able to discuss condom use with their partners, women with recent genital symptoms, such as discharge, living in rural areas, and being aware of and use of HIV test kits are associated with HIV testing among women. This suggests barriers tied to economic and geographic factors calling for interventions such as open communication among couples, improved health care delivery in rural areas hence improving testing access, increasing awareness of prevention methods, and fostering communication within relationships can effectively enhance HIV testing rates in the communities.