Self-testing knowledge and beliefs on HIV self-testing use in central Uganda

Abstract

The government of Uganda and its implementing partners have made significant investments in HIV self-testing (HST) services as a strategy to reduce clinic related barriers to HIV testing. However, although HSTs have been around for a reasonable time, their uptake especially among unskilled working individuals has remained sub-optimal which threatens the efforts to achieve the 95-95-95 UNAIDS goals to end HIV by 2030. This study set out to examine whether knowledge and individual beliefs about self-testing influence usage of HIV self-tests among causal workers in Kampala. This was a cross-sectional study utilizing 453 participants; 53% females, 29.2% aged (22-25)22 to 25, and 40.6% attended high school education. These were selected through systematic random sampling from Darling Uganda Ltd in Wakiso district. Standardized questionnaires were used, and analysis done with Pearson Correlations and Multiple Regression in SPSS. The findings indicate that HIV self-testing (HST) knowledge was positively related to HST use (r=.387, p<=.01); perceived susceptibility (r=.212, p<=.01); perceived benefits (r=.152, p<=.01) and perceived barriers (r=.101, p<=.05). Individual beliefs, that is, perceived susceptibility (r=.355, p<=.01); perceived benefits (r=.487, p<=.01); and perceived barriers (r=.148, p<=.01) are significantly related to HST use. Perceived benefits were the overall best predictors of HST use among this population (β=.442, p=.000). Therefore, (44.2%) of HST use is attributed to the benefits attached to the service. Therefore, increasing awareness regarding the benefits of HST among such populations increases the chances of HIV testing especially among men. This can pave the way to the 95-95-95 goal by 2030 of UNAIDS.