Sexual and Social Network Correlates of Willingness to Self-Test for HIV Among Ever-Tested and Never-Tested Men: Implications for the Tanzania STEP Project. Issue 2 (1st February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Conserve, Donaldson F.; Bay, Camden; Kilonzo, Mrema N.; Makyao, Neema E.; Kajula, Lusajo; Maman, Suzanne
• Is Part Of: AIDS care. Volume 31:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2019-02-01
• Subjects: HIV self-testing -- men -- never-testers -- social network -- Tanzania; AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; 362.1969792
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1537466
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0121

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We examined factors associated with HIV self-testing (HIVST) willingness among male ever-testers and never-testers who participated in a midpoint survey of a cluster randomized controlled HIV prevention trial in Dar es Salaam. Linear mixed binary logistic regression models were constructed to examine factors (demographic, HIV risk behavior, and sexual/social network) associated with willingness to self-test. Sixtyseven percent of 301 never-testers were willing to self-test for HIV compared to 72% 577 of ever-testers. Among never-testers, having discussed testing for HIV with a sexual partner was the only factor associated with HIVST willingness (2.36, 95% CI: 1.35–4.15). For evertesters, younger men were less willing to self-test than older men while men with higher education were more willing to self-test than less educated men. Having a moderate/great HIV risk perception decreased the odds of HIVST willingness relative to no risk perception (0.40, 95% CI 0.23–0.70) for ever-testers. Discussing HIV testing with a sexual partner and having been encouraged to test for HIV by a friend were associated with higher odds of being willing to self-test (2.22, 2.23; 95% CI 1.34–3.67, 1.14–4.39, respectively) among ever-testers. These findings suggest that HIVST willingness is highly acceptable among both male ever-testers and never-testers.