Factors associated with HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique: implications for programs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To identify predictors of HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nationally representative survey data collected in Mozambique in 2009 was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was us...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Agha Sohail
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2012-09-01
Series:Reproductive Health
Online Access:http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content/9/1/20
_version_ 1811248094056022016
author Agha Sohail
author_facet Agha Sohail
author_sort Agha Sohail
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To identify predictors of HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nationally representative survey data collected in Mozambique in 2009 was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used for two outcomes: HIV testing and condom use.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Women at a higher risk of HIV were less likely to be tested for HIV than women at a lower risk: compared to married women, HIV testing was lower among never married women (OR = 0.37, CI: 0.25-0.54); compared to women with one lifetime partner, HIV testing was lower among women with four or more lifetime partners (OR = 0.62, CI: 0.47-0.83). Large wealth differentials were observed: compared to the poorest women, HIV testing was higher among the wealthiest women (OR = 3.03, CI: 1.96-4.68). Perceived quality of health services was an important predictor of HIV testing: HIV testing was higher among women who rated health services as being of very good quality (OR = 2.12, CI: 1.49-3.00). Type of sexual partner was the strongest predictor of condom use: condom use was higher among men who reported last sex with a girlfriend (OR = 9.75, CI: 6.81-13.97) or a casual partner (OR = 11.05, CI: 7.21-16.94). Being tested for HIV during the last two years was the only programmatic variable that predicted condom use. Interestingly, being tested for HIV more than two years ago was not associated with condom use. Frequent mass media exposure was neither associated with HIV testing nor with condom use.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The focus of HIV testing should shift from married women (routinely tested during antenatal care visits) to unmarried women and women with multiple sexual partners. Financial barriers to HIV testing appear to be substantial. Since HIV testing is done without a fee being charged, these barriers are presumably related to the cost of transportation to static health facilities. Mechanisms should be developed to cover the cost of transportation to health facilities. Substantially increasing community-based counseling is one way of reducing the cost of transportation. Men should be encouraged to test for HIV periodically.</p>
first_indexed 2024-04-12T15:22:01Z
format Article
id doaj.art-a9b53d56803543d4808771598e9e877f
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1742-4755
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-12T15:22:01Z
publishDate 2012-09-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Reproductive Health
spelling doaj.art-a9b53d56803543d4808771598e9e877f2022-12-22T03:27:25ZengBMCReproductive Health1742-47552012-09-01912010.1186/1742-4755-9-20Factors associated with HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique: implications for programsAgha Sohail<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To identify predictors of HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nationally representative survey data collected in Mozambique in 2009 was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used for two outcomes: HIV testing and condom use.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Women at a higher risk of HIV were less likely to be tested for HIV than women at a lower risk: compared to married women, HIV testing was lower among never married women (OR = 0.37, CI: 0.25-0.54); compared to women with one lifetime partner, HIV testing was lower among women with four or more lifetime partners (OR = 0.62, CI: 0.47-0.83). Large wealth differentials were observed: compared to the poorest women, HIV testing was higher among the wealthiest women (OR = 3.03, CI: 1.96-4.68). Perceived quality of health services was an important predictor of HIV testing: HIV testing was higher among women who rated health services as being of very good quality (OR = 2.12, CI: 1.49-3.00). Type of sexual partner was the strongest predictor of condom use: condom use was higher among men who reported last sex with a girlfriend (OR = 9.75, CI: 6.81-13.97) or a casual partner (OR = 11.05, CI: 7.21-16.94). Being tested for HIV during the last two years was the only programmatic variable that predicted condom use. Interestingly, being tested for HIV more than two years ago was not associated with condom use. Frequent mass media exposure was neither associated with HIV testing nor with condom use.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The focus of HIV testing should shift from married women (routinely tested during antenatal care visits) to unmarried women and women with multiple sexual partners. Financial barriers to HIV testing appear to be substantial. Since HIV testing is done without a fee being charged, these barriers are presumably related to the cost of transportation to static health facilities. Mechanisms should be developed to cover the cost of transportation to health facilities. Substantially increasing community-based counseling is one way of reducing the cost of transportation. Men should be encouraged to test for HIV periodically.</p>http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content/9/1/20
spellingShingle Agha Sohail
Factors associated with HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique: implications for programs
Reproductive Health
title Factors associated with HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique: implications for programs
title_full Factors associated with HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique: implications for programs
title_fullStr Factors associated with HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique: implications for programs
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique: implications for programs
title_short Factors associated with HIV testing and condom use in Mozambique: implications for programs
title_sort factors associated with hiv testing and condom use in mozambique implications for programs
url http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content/9/1/20
work_keys_str_mv AT aghasohail factorsassociatedwithhivtestingandcondomuseinmozambiqueimplicationsforprograms