HIV TESTING UPTAKE AMONG CHILD MIGRANT HEAD-PORTERS (KAYAAYIE) IN ACCRA, GHANA

SYLVESTER KYEI-GYAMFI, Government
Frank Kyei-Arthur, University of Environment and Sustainable Development
Martin Wiredu Agyekum, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi, Frank Kyei-Arthur, Martin Wiredu Agyekum This cross-sectional study, conducted in Accra, Ghana, focused on Kayaayie, a term referring to young girls and women aged 10 to 17 who work as head porters, carrying goods for a fee. Utilizing convenience and snowball sampling, the study collected data through two focus group discussions (FGDs) with Kayaayie and 20 key informant interviews with market women, Kayaayie Association officials, and child protection authorities. The findings revealed that only 3% of participants had undergone HIV testing, while 97% had never been tested. Additionally, more than 80% of respondents expressed unwillingness to get tested, and only 14% were aware of where to access testing services. Key reasons for their reluctance included fear of test results, the perception of low risk of HIV exposure, and financial barriers to testing. These insights offer valuable guidance for predicting the attitudes and behaviors of migrant populations, including child migrants, and will inform the development of targeted interventions aimed at increasing HIV testing uptake and promoting safer sexual practices post-testing.

Keywords: Gender Dynamics, Internal Migration and Urbanization, Population and Development, Children, Adolescents, and Youth

See extended abstract.