INDIVIDUAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UTILIZATION OF HIV SELF-TESTING SERVICES AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN BETWEEN 15-24 YEARS IN IGANGA DISTRICT-UGANDA: INDIVIDUAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UTILIZATION OF HIV SELF-TESTING SERVICES

Abdulmujeeb Babatunde Aremu; Zikula  Nangobi; Kharim  Mwebaza Muluya; Naziru  Rashid; Swaibu  Zziwa

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1617

Authors

Abdulmujeeb Babatunde Aremu Assistant Professor/ Dr. https://orcid.org/
Zikula Faculty of Health Science, Habib Medical School, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala-Uganda.
Mwebaza Muluya Faculty of Health Science, Habib Medical School, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala-Uganda.
Rashid Faculty of Health Science, Habib Medical School, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala-Uganda.
Zziwa Faculty of Health Science, Habib Medical School, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala-Uganda.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1617

Keywords:

Utilization, HIV, Self-testing, Adolescents, young women, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: The uptake of HIV testing services is sub-optimal among adolescent girls and young women. HIV self-testing offers opportunities to improve the uptake of HIV testing services among adolescent girls and young women. The study was conducted to determine individual factors associated with the utilization of HIV self-testing services among adolescent girls and young women between 15-24 years in Iganga District.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional design. Research questionnaires were administered to collect data. A total of 384 adolescent girls and young women between 15-24 years were interviewed. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with HIV self-testing and odds ratio was used as a measure of association.

Results: The response of the study was 100% and 16.7% of the respondents have ever tested for HIV using HIVST services. The study found that 64.1% of the respondents were aged 20-24 years, 48.2% had primary education, 51.6% were never married and 28.6% were housewives. HIV self-testing was significantly associated with secondary education (AOR: 4.267, 95% CI: 1.310-13.898, P=0.016), having ever heard about HIVST (AOR: 3.406, 95% CI: 1.497-7.749, P-0.003), knowing how to use the HIVST (AOR: 3.161, 95% CI: 1.463-6.827, P-0.003), discrimination in the community because of HIV status (AOR: 5.595, 95% CI: 1.595-20.379, P-0.009), ever been diagnosed with STIs (AOR: 0.266, 95% CI: 0.107-0.663, P-0.004) and having two sexual partners (AOR: 4.415, 95% CI: 1.303-14.962, P-0.017).

Conclusion: The study demonstrates levels of utilization of HIV self-testing among adolescent girls and young women in association with a number of factors that include education level, knowledge on HIVST, stigmatization, history of STIs, number of sexual partners, and accessibility of the services. An enhancement of educational and awareness programs on HIV self-testing (HIVST) was recommended.

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