Can We Self-Test? Understanding the Factors Associated with the Awareness and Use of HIV Self-Testing Kits among Young Women in Ghana

Martin Wiredu Agyekum, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA, GHANA
Maragret Appiah, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
Frank Kyei-Arthur, University of Environment and Sustainable Development
Grace Frempong Afrifa-Anane, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
SYLVESTER KYEI-GYAMFI, Government
Isaac Yeboah, University of Professional Studies, Accra
Marijanatu Abdulai, Ministry of Health, National Control AIDS/STI Programme

Introduction: Several factors inducing stigma and privacy at health facilities limit the uptake of HIV self-testing (HIVST). HIVST revolutionizes efforts to promote HIV testing uptake. This study examined the factors associated with the awareness and use of HIVST kits among women in Ghana. Methods: This study used a sample size of 7,596 young women from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Awareness and use of HIVST kits were measured by whether women had ever heard of HIVST and ever used HIVST kits. Results: Women’s education, ecological zone and ever tested for HIV were significantly associated with awareness of and use of HIVST kits. Age, heard of antiretrovirals, marital status, economic status and distance to a health facility were also significantly associated with awareness of HIVST kits. Conclusion: Policymakers should target these factors when designing interventions to promote awareness and uptake of HIVST kits. Keywords: HIV, HIV self-testing, women, Ghana Demographic and Health Survey.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Population and Development, Mortality and Longevity

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