Factors associated with HIV self‑testing among female university students in Uganda: a cross‑sectional study
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AIDS Research and Therapy
Abstract
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) at institutions of higher learning are at high risk of HIV,
and conventional HIV testing services may not reach them sufficiently. HIV self-testing (HIVST) scalability can be
informed by identifying AGYW who have used or are interested in using HIVST. We aimed to determine factors associated
with use and willingness to use HIVST among female university students.
Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 483 female students at Makerere University,
Uganda. Proportions of students who have used or are willing to use HIVST and their associated factors were determined.
Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% confidence
intervals (CI).
Results: The median age of the participants was 22 (Interquartile range [IQR] 21–23) years, and 21% had never tested
for HIV. Over 93% were willing to utilize HIVST, and 19% had ever used HIV self-test kits. Increasing age (adjusted prevalence
ratio [aPR] 1.23 per year, 95% CI 1.07–1.43) was significantly associated with HIVST use. Predictors of willingness
to self-test for HIV were college type (arts vs. science-based, aPR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88–0.97), number of sexual partners
(one, aPR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.12 or ≥ 2, aPR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04–1.19, vs. none), alcohol (aPR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00–1.09) or
injection drug (aPR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.09) use, a history of sexually transmitted infections in past 12 months (aPR
1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.09), and HIV testing experience (tested in past 12 months, aPR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.22 or over
12 months, aPR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03–1.24, vs. never tested).
Conclusion: HIVST was highly acceptable despite its limited use. This study demonstrates female student characteristics
that can be leveraged to scale up HIVST programs in higher institutions of learning.
Description
Keywords
Women, Universities, HIV, Self-testing, HIV testing, Students
Citation
Segawa, I., Bakeera-Kitaka, S., Ssebambulidde, K., Muwonge, T. R., Oriokot, L., Ojiambo, K. O., & Mujugira, A. (2022). Factors associated with HIV self-testing among female university students in Uganda: a cross-sectional study. AIDS Research and Therapy, 19(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-022-00484-x