Geographical variations and factors associated with recent HIV testing prevalence in Ghana: spatial mapping and complex survey analyses of the 2014 demographic and health surveys

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the factors associated with recent HIV testing and to develop an HIV testing prevalence surface map using spatial interpolation techniques to identify geographical areas with low and high HIV testing rates in Ghana.DesignSecondary analysis of Demographic and Health Survey.SettingRural and urban GhanaParticipantsThe study sample comprised 9380 women and 3854 men of 15–49 years.ResultsWe found that 13% of women and 6% of men of Ghana had tested for HIV in the past 12 months. For women, being within the age groups of 15–39 years, being currently married, attainment of post-secondary education, having only one sexual partner and dwelling in certain regions with reference to greater Accra (Volta, Eastern, Upper West and Upper East) were associated with a higher likelihood of HIV testing. For men, being older than 19 years, attainment of post-secondary education and dwelling in the Upper East region with reference to the greater Accra region were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of HIV testing. The surface map further revealed intra-regional level differences in HIV testing estimates.ConclusionGiven the results, HIV testing must be expanded with equitable testing resource allocation that target areas within the regions in Ghana with low HIV testing prevalence. Men should be encouraged to be tested for HIV.

Factors Associated with HIV Testing among Reproductive Women Aged 15–49 Years in the Gambia: Analysis of the 2019–2020 Gambian Demographic and Health Survey

“…Specifically, reproductive women who reported a positive history of STI infection have higher odds of testing for HIV compared to those who do not. This finding agrees with findings from a study conducted in Ghana [42] where women who reported previous history of STIs were more likely to test for HIV. Furthermore, this study revealed largely homogeneity in HIV testing across rural-urban population in the Gambia.…”

Predictors of HIV testing among women experiencing intimate partner violence in the Central Region of Ghana

“…In that study, the following subgroups had higher HIV testing rates compared with the national average of 13%: Women aged 25-34 years (19%); those married (16%); those with previous STIs (16%), those with only one sexual partner (16%); from richest households (18%); and those with higher than secondary education (26%). Clearly, age, education, marital status, income and sexual behaviour influenced HIV testing among men and women aged 15 to 49 years in the general population of Ghana [19]. The estimates obtained compared well with the previous estimates by Tenkorang & Owusu (2010) [18].…”

“…Tenkorang & Owusu (2010) found a 10% prevalence of HIV testing among women in the general population of Ghana [18]. Secondary analysis of data from the nationally representative, 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey found a low HIV testing prevalence rate of 13% among women and 6% among men aged 15 to 49 years in the 12 months period preceding the survey [19]. Wide variations in HIV testing rates were observed among sub-groups of the population, within regions and across the 10 regions of the country.…”

Exploring Determinants of HIV/AIDS Self-Testing Uptake in South Africa Using Generalised Linear Poisson and Geographically Weighted Poisson Regression

“…Negative association in perception of excellent health with HIV/AIDS self-testing uptake is more prevalent around various districts across the country including West Coast, Namakwa, Vhembe, Capricorn, Waterberg, Mangaung, Gert Sibande, and Thabo Mofutsanyane. The lack of a strong relationship between the perception of excellent health and HIV/AIDS self-testing uptake could be attributed to fear of denunciation and a loss of emotional control because of the mental burden of knowing one’s HIV/AIDS positive status [ 11 , 20 ]. Equally important, the fear of having a positive result without any immediate personal support can be devastating to people, thus the increased hesitancy in self-testing uptake [ 24 , 25 ].…”

“…Various studies have explored the association of HIV testing uptake with spatial patterns, socioeconomic status, and demographics, etc., [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 11 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. For instance, Ntsepe et al [ 4 ] analysed people’s perceptions of HIV testing in formal and informal urban communities from different races and age groups in select towns (Cape Town and Durban) across two South African provinces.…”