Prevalence and determinants of not testing for HIV among young adult women in Papua New Guinea: findings from the 2016–2018 Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of not testing for HIV among young adult women aged 15-29 years in Papua New Guinea (PNG).Design and settingThe study used secondary data from the 2016-2018 PNG Demographic and Health Survey (PNGDHS), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey that utilised two-stage cluster sampling. Multivariate logistic regression with complex sample analysis was performed to assess the determinants of not testing for HIV.ParticipantsA total of 8,155 young adult women aged 15-29 years were included in the study.Outcome measureNot testing for HIV.ResultsThe prevalence of not testing for HIV was 71.8% (95% CI: 0.71-0.73). Young adult women who were never married (AOR: 4.9, 95% CI: 3.6-6.6), from rural areas (AOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.5-2.6), from poor wealth indices (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.5), who did not frequently read newspapers or magazines (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3-2.1), who did not frequently listen to the radio (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.0), who had initiated sex before the age of 20 (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-1.9), and who had one sexual partner (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-2.0) had higher odds of not testing for HIV compared with their counterparts.ConclusionsOur study found that more than two-thirds of young women in PNG have never been tested for HIV. Socio-demographics, lack of exposure to media, having one sex partner, and not having had an STI in the past 12 months are associated with not testing for HIV. Multi-sectorial policy and programmatic approaches to strengthen community- and home-based testing to complement facility-based HIV services and overcome barriers associated with HIV testing among this population are necessary.

Spatial mapping and predictors of ever-tested for HIV in adolescent girls and young women in Ethiopia

“…However, people living with HIV and those receiving antiretroviral therapy tend to engage in safer sexual behaviors ( 11 ). In Sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia, HIV testing uptake among AGYW is low but is showing an increasing trend ( 6 , 12 , 13 ). Factors associated with a higher uptake of HIV testing include older age ( 14 ), better education, comprehensive HIV knowledge ( 15 ), discussions about HIV with mothers or female guardians ( 14 ), having multiple sexual partners, having nondiscriminatory attitudes, and pregnancy ( 12 ), whereas factors such as being unmarried, living in rural areas, having lower financial status, having limited media exposure, experiencing early sexual initiation, having perceived low risk, and having only one sexual partner are associated with lower HIV testing uptake ( 13 , 15 ).…”