Factors Influencing HIV Testing Uptake Among Adolescents in Selected Communities of Rivers State: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Despite the availability of testing services, willingness to undergo HIV testing among adolescents remains low, posing  barriers to effective prevention and treatment efforts. Our study assesses factors that influence HIV testing uptake among adolescents in  selected communities in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design and a multi-staged sampling technique were used  to survey 671 adolescents on the uptake of HIV tests using an intervieweradministered questionnaire. Data was analysed using IBM  SPSS version 27. Bivariate analyses were conducted to assess the association between independent and outcome variables (HIV  testing uptake). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to ascertain predictors adjusting for confounding. Ethical approval was  obtained for the study.

Results: The median age of respondents was 18 years; about 356 (53.9%) were females, and 56 (8.3%) had no  formal education. Less than half of the respondents, 296 (43.8%), have ever been tested for HIV. The factors that influenced HIV testing uptake were the level of education, marital status, and current school attendance. Specifically, those with tertiary and secondary  education were 0.25 and 0.30 times less likely to have had an HIV test done (aOR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.17-0.37, p=0.001), and (aOR=0.30, 95% CI:  0.14-0.63, p=0.001) compared to those with no formal education.

Conclusion: About half of the respondents have never been tested  for HIV. There is a need for stakeholders and the government to implement strategies that promote early and routine HIV testing and  emphasise the importance of regular HIV testing as a preventive measure among adolescents.