TY - JOUR
T1 - Sexual risk behavior and uptake of HIV counseling and testing among youth in Metropolitan Kumasi, Ghana
AU - GYASI, Razak Mohammed
AU - ABASS, Kabila
PY - 2018/4/3
Y1 - 2018/4/3
N2 - Research on HIV counselling and testing (HCT) has proliferated in Ghana but limited evidence exists about the uptake of HCT among a large population that has been shown to engage in HIV risk-related behavior in Metropolitan Kumasi. With retrospective cross-sectional data from a representative sample of sexually active young people, multivariate logistic regression models examine the variables associated with HCT uptake in Kumasi. Among 906 participants (male 51% and female 49%, with a mean age ±SD, 25 ± 6), 22% had utilized HCT in the last six months despite the higher knowledge of HCT (84%) mainly through mass media (65%) and health providers (27%). Besides, less than 20% of the sample intended to undergo HCT services. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.830; 95% CI: 1.280–47.831; p < 0.001), being single (aOR = 3.032; 95% CI: 1.413–6.485; p = 0.040), having sexual intercourse with irregular partner (aOR = 5.597; 95% CI: 1.776–17.638; p = 0.018), practiced unprotected sex (aOR = 2.614; 95% CI: 1.821–6.472; p = 0.002), having multiple sex partners (aOR = 2.902; 95% CI: 1.405–7.226; p < 0.001) and being aware of HCT services (OR = 3.488; 95% CI: 1.256–5.929; p < 0.005) were associated with HCT uptake. These findings are germane for health policy and planning interventions seeking to address the barriers to HCT uptake among youth who are at greater risk of HIV infection.
AB - Research on HIV counselling and testing (HCT) has proliferated in Ghana but limited evidence exists about the uptake of HCT among a large population that has been shown to engage in HIV risk-related behavior in Metropolitan Kumasi. With retrospective cross-sectional data from a representative sample of sexually active young people, multivariate logistic regression models examine the variables associated with HCT uptake in Kumasi. Among 906 participants (male 51% and female 49%, with a mean age ±SD, 25 ± 6), 22% had utilized HCT in the last six months despite the higher knowledge of HCT (84%) mainly through mass media (65%) and health providers (27%). Besides, less than 20% of the sample intended to undergo HCT services. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.830; 95% CI: 1.280–47.831; p < 0.001), being single (aOR = 3.032; 95% CI: 1.413–6.485; p = 0.040), having sexual intercourse with irregular partner (aOR = 5.597; 95% CI: 1.776–17.638; p = 0.018), practiced unprotected sex (aOR = 2.614; 95% CI: 1.821–6.472; p = 0.002), having multiple sex partners (aOR = 2.902; 95% CI: 1.405–7.226; p < 0.001) and being aware of HCT services (OR = 3.488; 95% CI: 1.256–5.929; p < 0.005) were associated with HCT uptake. These findings are germane for health policy and planning interventions seeking to address the barriers to HCT uptake among youth who are at greater risk of HIV infection.
KW - Ghana
KW - HIV counseling and testing uptake
KW - health policy
KW - public health
KW - risky sexual behavior
KW - vulnerable group
KW - youth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041131925&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15381501.2017.1407730
DO - 10.1080/15381501.2017.1407730
M3 - Journal Article (refereed)
SN - 1538-1501
VL - 17
SP - 127
EP - 145
JO - Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services
JF - Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services
IS - 2
ER -