Factors Associated with HIV Testing Uptake in Cameroon: Data from the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Collins Buh Nkum,1 Aude Nanfak,1 Etienne Guenou,1– 3 Rosine Fri Kami,1 Augustin Murhabazi Bashombwa,1,2,4 Ketina Hirma Tchio-Nighie,1,2 Charlette Nangue,1 Jerome Ateudjieu1,2,5 1Department of Health Research, M.A. SANTE (Meilleur Accès Aux Soins de Santé), Yaounde, Cameroon; 2Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon; 3National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon; 4Faculty of Medicine, University of Kaziba, Kaziba, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 5Division of Health Operations Research, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, CameroonCorrespondence: Augustin Murhabazi Bashombwa, Email [email protected]: HIV represents a significant public health challenge, contributing to increased mortality and morbidity within the population. Despite the implementation of various HIV testing strategies, the uptake rate of HIV testing remains low.Objective: This study aims to assess the factors associated with HIV testing uptake among women and men in Cameroon.Methods: A secondary analysis of the 2018 Cameroon demographic and health survey (DHS) was conducted using data of sexually active men and women aged 15– 64. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify the key factors associated with HIV testing in Cameroon.Results: We included a total of 18,112 participants (12563 women and 5549 men). The study found that 47.8% (95% CI 46.9– 48.7) of women and 45% (95% CI 43.7– 46.3) of men were tested for HIV in the past 12 months. Among women and men, age above 20– 24 years (AOR= 1.3, p

Keywords

• hiv
• testing
• factors
• cameroon