HIV screening and associated factors among adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania: analysis of the 2022 demographic and health survey data
摘要
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a significant global challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to healthcare services is constrained. Despite substantial efforts to combat HIV, the uptake of screening among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) remains sub-optimal. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV screening and identify the factors associated with screening uptake among AGYW in Tanzania.
MethodsThis was a cross-sectional analysis of the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (2022 TDHS). The study population included AGYW aged 15–24 years. The outcome variable was HIV screening. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HIV screening among AGYW.
ResultsA total of 5,852 AGYW with a mean age of 19.3 ± 2.8 years were included in the analysis. The prevalence of ever “HIV screening” was 60.2% (95% CI: 58.4–61.9). Factors associated with a higher prevalence of HIV screening included older age 20–24 years (adjusted Prevalence Ratio, aPR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04–1.15), currently or previously in marital union (aPR 1.21, 95% CI 1.15–1.27), history of sexual intercourse (aPR 2.32, 95% CI 2.04–2.63), pregnancy history (aPR 1.43, 95% CI 1.35–1.52), awareness of sexually transmitted infections (aPR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10–1.22), awareness of HIV testing kits (aPR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03–1.13), condom use (aPR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.12), ownership of telephone (aPR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09–1.19 for non-smartphone; aPR 1.25, 95% CI 1.13–1.37 for smartphone), and visiting a healthcare facility in the previous 12 months (aPR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13–1.24). Geographical differences showed that women in the Northern and Central zones (aPR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.96) had a lower prevalence of HIV screening compared to those in the Eastern zone.
ConclusionThe study revealed a sub-optimal prevalence of ever HIV screening among AGYW in Tanzania and was associated with different individual and interpersonal factors. Targeted interventions that address individual and interpersonal factors to improve HIV screening rates among AGYW should be implemented.