Factors influencing HIV Testing among young women aged 15-24 in the 2015-2016 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Purpose Adolescent girls and young women exhibit two of three global new HIV infections every day, yet they perceived little risk of acquiring it, thus neglecting their status. HIV Testing is fundamental to its prevention and achieving the UNAIDS three 90s. Methods We obtained data from the 2015–2016 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey on women to establish the HIV testing factors. We employed SPSS bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine HIV testing factors among young women aged 15–24. Results Of all 10422 young women, 69.5% have done the test, and most were rural dwellers. Ages 20–24 were more than 2.6 times (AOR = 2.69; 95% CI = 2.11–3.43) more likely to do HIV testing than those aged 15–19. Reading newspapers or magazines less than once a week and listening to the radio at least once a week increased HIV testing by 1.9 and 1.5 times, respectively. A visit to a health facility in the past 12 months influenced HIV testing by 3 (AOR = 3.06; 95% CI = 2.41–3.89) times. Contraceptives and condoms used influenced HIV testing 4.4 (AOR = 4.40; 95% CI = 3.24–5.96) and 2.1 (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.09–4.30) times. Employed and wealthy young women were 1.6 times more likely to be tested. Husbands’ education positively influenced HIV testing while living in rural areas negatively influenced it. Conclusions Our findings highlight potential factors in improving HIV testing and indicate that robust strategies need to be implemented to increase HIV testing among young women in Malawi. Future research should focus on motivating factors that will enhance HIV testing uptake in Malawi young women.