HIV Testing among Women in Namibia: Patterns and Determinants

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HIV Testing among Women in Namibia: Patterns and Determinants

Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 3

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.Namibia is one of the countries with the highest HIV prevalence in Africa and lower rate of HIV testing MOHSS [1]. HIV has a devastating impact, not just as a humanitarian catastrophe, but also as a development catastrophe, which is not merely a health issue. Namibia is classified as a high, generalized and mature prevalence country with HIV assumed to be primarily transmitted through heterosexual and mother- to- child transmission, with an estimate of over 234508 people above the age of 15 are living with HIV, representing an increase from 245351 during 2013of approximately 5.8% [2]. Knowledge of one’s HIV status is important to assist individuals who decide to adopt safer sex practices to reduce the risk of becoming infected or transmitting HIV. HIV testing empowers the uninfected person to protect himself or herself from becoming infected with HIV; assist infected persons to protect others and to live positively and offers the opportunity for treatment of HIV and of infections associated with HIV. HIV supports safer relationships which enhances faithfulness; encourages family planning and treatment to help prevent mother Namibia is one of the countries with the highest HIV prevalence in Africa and lower rate of HIV testing MOHSS [1]. HIV has a devastating impact, not just as a humanitarian catastrophe, but also as a development catastrophe, which is not merely a health issue. Namibia is classified as a high, generalized and mature prevalence country with HIV assumed to be primarily transmitted through heterosexual and mother- to- child transmission, with an estimate of over 234508 people above the age of 15 are living with HIV, representing an increase from 245351 during 2013of approximately 5.8% [2].

Authors and Affiliations

Muhinda JC, Pazvakawambwa L

Keywords

HIV Testing; Determinants; HIV Counseling; Namibia

EP ID EP569539
DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000248
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