Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T11:18:25.219Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Concerns about contracting HIV, knowing partners’ HIV sero-status and discussion of HIV/STI with sexual partners as determinants of uptake of HIV testing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2018

Anthony Idowu Ajayi Open the ORCID record for Anthony Idowu Ajayi [Opens in a new window] ,
Abdulazeez Olumide Abioye ,
Oladele Vincent Adeniyi  and
Wilson Akpan
Anthony Idowu Ajayi*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
Abdulazeez Olumide Abioye
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Oladele Vincent Adeniyi
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine & Rural Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha/East London, South Africa
Wilson Akpan
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
*
*Corresponding author. Email: ajayianthony@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Worldwide, adolescents and young adults (aged 15–25 years) account for the highest proportion of new HIV infections, yet the uptake of HIV testing among this cohort is sub-optimal. Understanding factors that predict the uptake of HIV testing among adolescents and young adults is critical for designing effective and relevant interventions to increase testing. Drawing from the psychosocial constructs of the Health Belief Model, the study examined the effects of HIV risk perception, discussion of HIV with partners and knowing partners’ HIV status on HIV testing uptake among adolescents and young adults in two Nigerian universities. The study was conducted in 2018 and was cross-sectional in design, with a final sample of 784 male and female students selected using stratified random sampling. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the effect of HIV risk perception, discussion of HIV with partners and knowing partners’ HIV status on HIV testing uptake. Only 50.6% of participants had ever tested for HIV with 30.7% being tested in the last year, with no significant differences by sex. After controlling for other covariates (age, sex and being sexually active), knowing partners’ HIV status, having discussed HIV with partners and being very concerned about contracting HIV were found to be significantly associated with ever being tested for HIV and recent HIV testing uptake. Uptake of HIV testing was found to be low in the study setting and fell short of the first ‘90%’ UNAIDS target. Age-appropriate strategies, targeting open communication on HIV/STIs and disclosure of sero-status between sexual partners are required to promote uptake of HIV testing among young adults and adolescents in Nigeria.

Keywords

HIV testingHIV Sero-statusAdolescents and Young Adults
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 51 , Issue 4 , July 2019 , pp. 549 - 561
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press, 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ajayi, AI, Akpan, W, Goon, DT, Nwokocha, EE Adeniyi, OV (2016) Tough love: socio-cultural explanations for deadly abortion choices among Nigerian undergraduate students: health. African Journal for Physical Activity and Health Sciences 22(31), 711–724.Google Scholar
Ajayi, AI, Nwokocha, EE, Akpan, W, Adeniyi, OV Goon, DT (2018) “It’s Sweet Without Condom”: understanding risky sexual behaviour among Nigerian female university students. Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences 16(4).Google Scholar
Amu, EO, Olatona, FA Onayade, AA (2014) Factors influencing HIV counselling and testing uptake among corps members in Osun State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences 13(1), 14–19.Google Scholar
Awofala, AA Ogundele, OE (2018) HIV epidemiology in Nigeria. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 25(4), 697–703.Google Scholar
Babalola, S (2007) Readiness for HIV testing among young people in northern Nigeria: the roles of social norm and perceived stigma. AIDS and Behavior 11(5), 759–769.Google Scholar
Burns, FM, Johnson, AM, Nazroo, J, Ainsworth, J, Anderson, J Fakoya, A et al. (2008) Missed opportunities for earlier HIV diagnosis within primary and secondary healthcare settings in the UK. AIDS 22(1), 115–122.Google Scholar
Camoni, L, Raimondo, M, Regine, V, Salfa, MC Suligoi, B (2013) Late presenters among persons with a new HIV diagnosis in Italy, 2010–2011. BMC Public Health 13(1), 281.Google Scholar
Clifton, S, Mercer, CH, Sonnenberg, P, Tanton, C, Field, N Gravningen, K et al. (2018) STI risk perception in the British population and how it relates to sexual behaviour and STI healthcare use: findings from a cross-sectional survey (Natsal-3). EClinicalMedicine 2, 29–36 Google Scholar
Corneli, AL, Mckenna, K, Headley, J, Ahmed, K, Odhiambo, J Skhosana, J (2014) A descriptive analysis of perceptions of HIV risk and worry about acquiring HIV among FEM‐PrEP participants who seroconverted in Bondo, Kenya, and Pretoria, South Africa. Journal of the International AIDS Society 17, 19152.Google Scholar
De Paoli, MM, Manongi, R Klepp, K-I (2004) Factors influencing acceptability of voluntary counselling and HIV-testing among pregnant women in Northern Tanzania. AIDS Care 16(4), 411–425.Google Scholar
Deblonde, J, De Koker, P, Hamers, FF, Fontaine, J, Luchters, S Temmerman, M (2010) Barriers to HIV testing in Europe: a systematic review. European Journal of Public Health 20(4), 422–432.Google Scholar
Federal Ministry of Health (2013) National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health and Serological Survey, 2012 (NARHS Plus). Federal Ministry of Health (Nigeria), Abuja, Nigeria.Google Scholar
Gage, AJ Ali, D (2005) Factors associated with self-reported HIV testing among men in Uganda. AIDS Care 17(2), 153–165.Google Scholar
Girardi, E, Sabin, CA Monforte, AD (2007) Late diagnosis of HIV infection: epidemiological features, consequences and strategies to encourage earlier testing. JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 46, S3–S8.Google Scholar
Glanz, K, Rimer, BK Viswanath, K (2008) Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice. John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
Golub, SA Gamarel, KE (2013) The impact of anticipated HIV stigma on delays in HIV testing behaviors: findings from a community-based sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in New York City. AIDS Patient Care and STDs 27(11), 621–627.Google Scholar
Hayden, JA (2013) Introduction to Health Behavior Theory. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.Google Scholar
Hsieh, Y-H, Wang, Y-S, De Arazoza, H Lounes, R (2010) Modeling secondary level of HIV contact tracing: its impact on HIV intervention in Cuba. BMC Infectious Diseases 10(1), 194.Google Scholar
Imaledo, JA, Peter-Kio, OB Asuquo, EO (2012) Pattern of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal 12(1).Google Scholar
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (2014) 90-90-90: an ambitious treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic. Geneva: UNAIDS. URL: http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2017/90-90-90 Google Scholar
Kalichman, SC Simbayi, LC (2003) HIV testing attitudes, AIDS stigma, and voluntary HIV counselling and testing in a black township in Cape Town, South Africa. Sexually Transmitted Infections 79(6), 442–447.Google Scholar
Khawcharoenporn, T, Chunloy, K Apisarnthanarak, A (2016) Uptake of HIV testing and counseling, risk perception and linkage to HIV care among Thai university students. BMC Public Health 16(1), 556.Google Scholar
Krakowiak, D, Kinuthia, J, Osoti, AO, Asila, V, Gone, MA Mark, J et al. (2016) Home-based HIV testing among pregnant couples increases partner testing and identification of serodiscordant partnerships. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 72 (Supplement 2), S167.Google Scholar
Mackellar, DA, Hou, S-I, Whalen, CC, Samuelsen, K, Sanchez, T Smith, A et al. (2011) Reasons for not HIV testing, testing intentions, and potential use of an over-the-counter rapid HIV test in an internet sample of men who have sex with men who have never tested for HIV. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 38(5), 419–428.Google Scholar
Macpherson, P, Lalloo, DG Webb, EL et al. (2014) Effect of optional home initiation of HIV care following HIV self-testing on antiretroviral therapy initiation among adults in Malawi: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Medical Association 312(4), 372–379.Google Scholar
Marcus, U, Gassowski, M Drewes, J (2016) HIV risk perception and testing behaviours among men having sex with men (MSM) reporting potential transmission risks in the previous 12 months from a large online sample of MSM living in Germany. BMC Public Health 16(1), 1111.Google Scholar
Marks, G, Crepaz, N, Senterfitt, JW Janssen, RS (2005) Meta-analysis of high-risk sexual behavior in persons aware and unaware they are infected with HIV in the United States: implications for HIV prevention programs. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 39(4), 446–453.Google Scholar
Meiberg, AE, Bos, AE, Onya, HE Schaalma, HP (2008) Fear of stigmatization as barrier to voluntary HIV counselling and testing in South Africa. East African Journal of Public Health 5(2), 49–54.Google Scholar
Musheke, M, Ntalasha, H, Gari, S, Mckenzie, O, Bond, V, Martin–Hilber, A Merten, S (2013) A systematic review of qualitative findings on factors enabling and deterring uptake of HIV testing in Sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Public Health 13(1), 220.Google Scholar
NACA (2014) Global AIDS Response Country Progress Report Nigeria GARPR 2014. Federal Republic of Nigeria.Google Scholar
Noubiap, JJN, Nansseu, JRN, Ndoula, ST, Wang, B, Jingi, AM Bigna, JJR et al. (2015) Prevalence and correlates of HIV – risky sexual behaviors among students attending the Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua, Cameroon. BMC Research Notes 8(1), 635.Google Scholar
Ogaji, D, Oyeyemi, A Ibrahim, I (2013) Awareness, willingness and use of Voluntary HIV testing and counseling services by students of a university in south–south Nigeria. Journal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care 25(2), 36–44.Google Scholar
Olowokere, AE, Adelakun, OA Komolafe, AO (2018) Knowledge, perception, access and utilisation of HIV counselling and testing among pregnant women in rural communities of Osogbo town, Nigeria. Australian Journal of Rural Health 26(1), 33–41.Google Scholar
Painter, JE, Borba, CPC, Hynes, M, Mays, D Glanz, K (2008) The use of theory in health behavior research from 2000 to 2005: a systematic review. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 35(3), 358–362.Google Scholar
Prestage, G, Brown, G Keen, P (2012) Barriers to HIV testing among Australian gay men. Sexual Health 9(5), 453–458.Google Scholar
Sisay, S, Erku, W, Medhin, G Woldeyohannes, D (2014) Perception of high school students on risk for acquiring HIV and utilization of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) service for HIV in Debre-Berhan Town, Ethiopia: a quantitative cross-sectional study. BMC Research Notes 7(1), 518.Google Scholar
Staveteig, S, Croft, TN, Kampa, KT Head, SK (2017) Reaching the ‘first 90’: Gaps in coverage of HIV testing among people living with HIV in 16 African countries. PloS One 12(10), e0186316.Google Scholar
Turan, JM, Bukusi, EA, Onono, M, Holzemer, WL, Miller, S Cohen, CR (2011) HIV/AIDS stigma and refusal of HIV testing among pregnant women in rural Kenya: results from the MAMAS Study. AIDS and Behavior 15(6), 1111–1120.Google Scholar
UNAIDS (2012) Adolescents, Young People and HIV. Factsheet, UNAIDS. URL: http://files.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/documents/factsheet/2012/20120417_FS_adolescentsyoungpeoplehiv_en.pdf Google Scholar
UNAIDS (2014) Fast-Track: Ending the AIDS Epidemic by 2030. JC2686, UNAIDS.Google Scholar
Vermeer, W, Bos, AE, Mbwambo, J, Kaaya, S Schaalma, HP (2009) Social and cognitive variables predicting voluntary HIV counseling and testing among Tanzanian medical students. Patient Education and Counseling 75(1), 135–140.Google Scholar
Wanyenze, RK, Kamya, MR, Fatch, R, Mayanja-Kizza, H, Baveewo, S Sawires, S et al. (2011) Missed opportunities for HIV testing and late-stage diagnosis among HIV-infected patients in Uganda. PloS One 6(7), e21794.Google Scholar
White, DA, Warren, OU, Scribner, AN Frazee, BW (2009) Missed opportunities for earlier HIV diagnosis in an emergency department despite an HIV screening program. AIDS Patient Care and STDs 23(4), 245–250.Google Scholar
World Health Organization (2013) HIV and adolescents: guidance for HIV testing and counselling and care for adolescents living with HIV: recommendations for a public health approach and considerations for policy-makers and managers. URL: http://www.who.int/iris/handle/10665/94334Google Scholar