Factors Associated With HIV Testing Among Men in Haiti: Results From the 2012 Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

HIV testing serves as the gateway to HIV prevention and treatment. However, little is known about the correlates of HIV testing among men in the Caribbean. The Anderson Behavioral Model was used to examine factors associated with HIV testing among 7,354 men who participated in the 2012 Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Haiti. Few men (35%) reported having ever been tested for HIV. Logistic regression analyses revealed that HIV testing increased with education and wealth. Marital status was associated with HIV testing, with married men more likely to have been tested (aOR: 2.57, 95% CI: 2.07–3.19) than unmarried men. Positive attitudes towards people living with HIV, indicated by willing to care for a relative who has HIV/AIDS, was also correlated with higher odds of having been tested (aOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.08–1.51). Men who reported condom use during last sex were more likely to have been tested (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.33–1.88). The findings indicate that HIV testing rates remain low among men in Haiti and more efforts are needed to increase HIV testing among men who are not married, have low level of education, and engage in unprotected sex.

Local and national stakeholders’ perceptions towards implementing and scaling up HIV self-testing and secondary distribution of HIV self-testing by Option B+ patients as an assisted partner service strategy to reach men in Haiti

“…We also elicited their recommendations for how to implement both primary HIVST distribution and secondary distribution of HIVST for male partners of Option B+ clients in the country. This article builds on previous quantitative research assessing factors associated with HIV testing among men [48] and HIV status disclosure to sexual partners among adult men and WLWH in Haiti [49]. The findings will help to inform future implementation and scaling up of HIVST to increase HIV testing among heterosexual men in Haiti.…”

“…The persistently high levels of the adult population who have never tested for HIV and the disparity between men and women are concerning for HIV testing and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) [3]. Evidence from a nationally representative sample of heterosexual men demonstrated that condomless sex is high [4] and that HIV testing is associated with less condomless sex [5], indicating the importance of promoting HIV testing among men.…”

“He Told Me to Check My Health”: A Qualitative Exploration of Social Network Influence on Men’s HIV Testing Behavior and HIV Self-Testing Willingness in Tanzania

“…Though HIV testing has served as a cornerstone in the fight against the HIV epidemic, testing uptake has consistently remained lower among men than women in several parts of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa ( Abongomera et al, 2015 ; Asaolu et al, 2016 ; Brima et al, 2015 ; Carrasco, Fleming, Wagman, & Wong, 2018 ; Conserve et al, 2013 ; Conserve et al, 2017 ; Johnson, Rehle, Jooste, & Bekker, 2015 ; Takarinda et al, 2016 ). In Tanzania, for example, only 47% of men compared to 62% of women have ever been tested for HIV ( TACAIDS & NBS OCGS, 2013 ).…”

HIV testing barriers and intervention strategies among men, transgender women, female sex workers and incarcerated persons in the Caribbean: a systematic review

“…HIV testing rates were examined in 10 studies 21–30. In Barbados, the number of people tested increased significantly from 14 403 tests completed in 2000 to 26 045 in 2010 22. Of 7354 men in Haiti, 65.24% (n=4838) had not been tested for HIV 22.…”

“…In Barbados, the number of people tested increased significantly from 14 403 tests completed in 2000 to 26 045 in 2010 22. Of 7354 men in Haiti, 65.24% (n=4838) had not been tested for HIV 22. In Puerto Rico, 59% of MSM had received a recent HIV test 23.…”