Journal article
Determinants for HIV testing and counselling in Nairobi urban informal settlements
BMC public health, v 11(1), pp 663-663
23 Aug 2011
PMID: 21861898
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background: Counselling and testing is important in HIV prevention and care. Majority of people in sub-Saharan Africa do not know their HIV status and are therefore unable to take steps to prevent infection or take up life prolonging anti-retroviral drugs in time if infected. This study aimed at exploring determinants of HIV testing and counselling in two Nairobi informal settlements.
Methods: Data are derived from a cross-sectional survey nested in an ongoing demographic surveillance system. A total of 3,162 individuals responded to the interview and out of these, 82% provided a blood sample which was tested using rapid test kits. The outcome of interest in this paper was HIV testing status in the past categorised as "never tested"; "client-initiated testing and counselling (CITC)" and provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC). Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify determinants of HIV testing.
Results: Approximately 31% of all respondents had ever been tested for HIV through CITC, 22% through PITC and 42% had never been tested but indicated willingness to test. Overall, 62% of females and 38% of males had ever been tested for HIV. Males were less likely to have had CITC (OR = 0.47; p value < 0.001) and also less likely to have had PITC (OR = 0.16; p value < 0.001) compared to females. Individuals aged 20-24 years were more likely to have had either CITC or PITC compared to the other age groups. The divorced/separated/widowed were more likely (OR = 1.65; p value < 0.01) to have had CITC than their married counterparts, while the never married were less likely to have had either CITC or PITC. HIV positive individuals (OR = 1.60; p value < 0.01) and those who refused testing in the survey (OR = 1.39; p value < 0.05) were more likely to have had CITC compared to their HIV negative counterparts.
Conclusion: Although the proportion of individuals ever tested in the informal settlements is similar to the national average, it remains low compared to that of Nairobi province especially among men. Key determinants of HIV testing and counselling include; gender, age, education level, HIV status and marital status. These factors need to be considered in efforts aimed at increasing participation in HIV testing.
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Details
- Title
- Determinants for HIV testing and counselling in Nairobi urban informal settlements
- Creators
- Abdhalah K. Ziraba - African Population and Health Research CenterNyovani J. Madise - University of SouthamptonJames K. Kimani - African Population and Health Research CenterSamuel Oti - African Population and Health Research CenterGeorge Mgomella - African Population and Health Research CenterMwau Matilu - Kenya Medical Research InstituteAlex Ezeh - African Population and Health Research Center
- Publication Details
- BMC public health, v 11(1), pp 663-663
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- 2006AR013 / Rockefeller Foundation GR078530MA / Wellcome Trust; European Commission 2006-8376 / Hewlett Foundation
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000295379700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-80052038257
- Other Identifier
- 991020531850804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health