Individual factors associated with utilization of HIV self-testing services among adolescent girls and young women between 15-24 years in Iganga District, a cross-sectional study.

Zikula Nangobi; Abdulmujeeb Babatunde Aremu; Naziru Rashid; Swaibu Zziwa; Rashid Naziru

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1617

Autori

Zikula Nangobi Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
Abdulmujeeb Babatunde Aremu Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
Naziru Rashid Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
Swaibu Zziwa Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
Rashid Naziru Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda

DOI:

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

Cuvinte cheie:

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

Rezumat

Introduction:

The uptake of HIV testing services is sub-optimal 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 and 24 years in Iganga District.

Methods:

The study used a cross-sectional design among 384 participants, and questionnaires were administered to collect data. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with HIV self-testing, and the odds ratio was used as a measure of association. The study obtained relevant ethical clearance.

Results:

The response rate of the study was 100%, and 16.7% of the respondents had 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 several factors that include education level, knowledge of HIVST, stigmatization, history of STIs, number of sexual partners, and accessibility of the services.

Recommendation:

The study therefore recommends enhancement of educational and awareness programs on HIV self-testing (HIVST), and these awareness campaigns should emphasize the importance of knowing how to use HIVST kits and their availability, as well as individuals knowledgeable about HIVST.

Biografii autori

Zikula Nangobi, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda

Is A public health specialist from the Department of Public Health, Islamic University in Uganda. She is also A nursing officer working with Iganga Local Government at Bugono Health Center IV as the assistant in charge; her research interests are in field epidemiology, HIV, and Non-Communicable diseases.
Abdulmujeeb Babatunde Aremu, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda

PhD, MPH: is Deputy Dean and Senior Lecturer in Community Medicine/Public Health at Habib Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), where he also serves as Faculty Research Coordinator. His research interests include HIV prevention, non-communicable disease epidemiology, occupational health, and community medicine in low-resource settings.
Swaibu Zziwa, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda

He is a Public Health Specialist, researcher, and lecturer with over 12 years of experience in teaching, research, curriculum development, and student

supervision in the Department of Public Health at the Islamic University in Uganda and Mountains of the Moon University. Research interests include

injury and trauma prevention and rehabilitation, health systems strengthening and policy.
Rashid Naziru, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda

Is the University Medical Officer at the Islamic University in Uganda and a lecturer in the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences.Research interests include clinical and field epidemiology of infectious diseases, Islam and medicine.

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