HIV Testing among Women in Namibia: Patterns and Determinants

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000248

Received: July 20, 2017;   Published: August 02, 2017

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Abstract

HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) remains an important entry to HIV Prevention, treatment, care and support services. HIV Testing Services (HTS) associated guidelines indicate that there are still significant gaps remaining in reaching undiagnosed HIV infected people and effectively linking them to treatment, care and support services with efficient use of limited available resources in Namibia. The objective of this study was to establish patterns and determinants of HIV testing, among women and to propose strategies to increase HIV testing among women. Secondary data from the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) was used to compute descriptive statistics and to fit a logistic regression to establish the determinants of HIV testing. Results indicated that younger women (p<0.001), except for those aged 15-19 years of age, those from Kavango (p=0.014), Kunene (p=0.013), Ohangwena (p=0.002), Omaheke (p<0.001) and Oshana (p=0.007) regions and those who reside in urban areas (p=0.001) were more likely to go for an HIV testing. Women with lower educational attainment (p<0.001) were less likely to go for HIV testing. HIV testing was also influenced by the number of sexual partners, culture, socio-economic status, and marital status. Intervention programs to increase the uptake of HIV testing should also target older women, rural areas and those with lower educational attainment.

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