Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11951/930

Browse

Browsing Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery by Subject "HIV SELF TESTING/ SELF CAREE"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    LEVEL AND FACTORS INFLUENCING THE UPTAKE OF HIV SELF-TESTING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AGED (15-24YEARS) IN SELECTED HEALTH FACILITIES IN MUKONO MUNICIPALITY
    (Uganda Christian University, 2025-10-01) Kukundakwe Annah
    Background: HIV remains a significant public health concern globally, with young people aged 15-24 years being particularly vulnerable to new infections. Despite efforts to promote HIV testing, many young individuals still face barriers such as stigma, confidentiality concerns, and limited access to healthcare services. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has emerged as an innovative and convenient strategy that allows individuals to test themselves privately, increasing accessibility and encouraging more people to know their status. However, the uptake of HIVST among young people remains varied, influenced by multiple factors. Objectives: This study aimed determine the level and factors influencing the uptake of HIV self-testing among young people aged (15-24years) in selected health facilities in Mukono Municipality. Methods: A cross-sectional employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches among young people aged (15-24years) in Mukono Municipality. Face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires with the 191 young people aged (15-24years) in Mukono Municipality. Probability simple random sampling technique was used to select the health facilities and systematic sampling was used to select the study participants. The collected data were coded, entered Excel spreadsheet, and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Data was presented in the form of text, tables and graphs. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. Ethical approval and permission from the district were obtained prior to the study as well as consent was obtained from each respondent before the interaction. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with HIV self-testing, odd ratio was used as a measure of association between the two variables and data was presented in term so text, table and pie-charts. Results: A total of 191 study participants were interviewed with a response rate of 100%. From the study, the overall level of utilization of HIV self-Testing service was at 16.8%. Utilization of HIV self-Testing service was statistically significantly associated with not knowing how to use the HIV self-testing kit in case they needed to use it (AOR = 0.652, 95% CI: 0.107-0.951, p = 0.041), not feeling embarrassed about seeking HIV testing services, including HIV self-testing (HIVST) (AOR = 0.209, 95% CI: 0.170-0.618, p = 0.005), having two sexual partners (AOR = 3.907, 95% CI: 1.762-7.039, p = 0.002), not having a health facility or place to access HIVST kits (AOR = 0.377, 95% CI: 0.154-0.617, p = 0.024), living 6-10 km away from a health facility (AOR = 4.335, 95% CI: 1.179-8.940, p = 0.027) and not receiving health education on HIVST from any source (AOR = 0.328, 95% CI: 0.126-0.801, p = 0.036). Conclusion: The study found that utilization of HIV self-testing services was significantly associated with factors such as not knowing how to use the HIV self-testing kit, not feeling embarrassed about seeking HIV testing services, having two sexual partners, lack of access to a health facility for obtaining HIVST kits, living 6-10 km from a health facility, and not receiving health education on HIVST. It is recommended that efforts need to be made to improve education on HIVST, increase accessibility to kits, and reduce stigma associated with seeking HIV testing to enhance uptake among young people.