Factors associated with HIV testing among young women in Tanzania

Insights from the 2022 Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey using Anderson’s Behavioral Model

Bibliographic Data

ID22069707
AuthorsMesfin Abebe (0000-0002-9340-0091, Dilla University, corresponding author), Yordanos Sisay Asgedom (0000-0001-5226-1200, Wolaita Sodo University), Amanuel Yosef Gebrekidan (0000-0003-0960-3759, Wolaita Sodo University), Yohannes Addisu Wondimagegne (Dilla University), Habtamu Endashaw Hareru (0000-0002-0591-0893, Dilla University), Tsion Mulat Tebeje (0000-0002-2911-2095, Dilla University)
Year2025
Volume12
Pages1518314-1518314
Publication date2025-01-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2024.1518314
PMID39845685
OpenAlexW4406188659
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited46

Background HIV continues to be a significant global health issue, particularly affecting sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. Knowing one’s HIV status is a crucial first step in combating HIV/AIDS and achieving the targets set for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. However, despite ongoing efforts, HIV testing coverage remains low in developing countries, including Tanzania, where testing among young people poses particular challenges. Therefore, this study, based on the 2022 Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey, aims to identify the factors influencing HIV testing among young women through the lens of Anderson’s Behavioral Model. Methods In this study, we analyzed a weighted sample of 5,810 young women from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). Given the hierarchical structure of the DHS data and the binary nature of the outcome variable ‘ever tested for HIV,’ we employed a multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model. The best-fitting model was identified using the deviance value. In the multivariable analysis, we calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of associations between various predictors and HIV testing. Statistical significance was determined at a p -value of less than 0.05. Result In our study, the prevalence of HIV testing among young women was 60.18% (95% CI: 58.91 to 61.43%). Significant factors associated with HIV testing included age (AOR = 4.33, 95% CI [3.43, 5.45]), marital status (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI [1.76, 3.04]), knowledge of HIV prevention (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.23, 2.04]), discriminatory attitudes towards HIV (AOR = 0.74, 95% CI [0.58, 0.95]), visiting healthcare facilities (AOR = 4.80, 95% CI [3.75, 6.14]), media exposure (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI [1.09, 1.90]), internet use (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.02, 2.38]), and ever heard of STIs (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI [1.63, 2.77]). Conclusion Our study found that 60.18% of young women in Tanzania have been tested for HIV. Addressing barriers like stigma and improving access to healthcare and information through media and the internet can significantly boost HIV testing rates among young women, aiding the global effort to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.The Anderson Behavioral Model emphasizes the importance of predisposing, enabling, and need factors in healthcare utilization, which aligns with our findings and underscores the necessity of a multifaceted approach to improve HIV testing rates

Environmental health · Family medicine · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Tanzania · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology