|
|
Abstract
Reasons for HIV status test - the role of gender
Egieyeh S.1, Ekpeyong M.1, Dashe A.1, Oqua D.A.N.1, Kunle O.O.1, Obodozie O.1, Inyang U.S.1
Objectives: To describe role of gender in the reasons for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status testing in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.
Methods: Data used in the present study were obtained by direct face-to-face interview. HIV-infected patients (N = 346) and at two sites in Abuja, Nigeria Federal Capital Territory were asked about the reasons for HIV testing. Participant descriptive variables of age, gender, race/ethnicity, and education level were assessed and recorded during the face-to-face interview at the baseline visit.
Results: . The majority of participants reported testing because of a disease condition (33.85% male and 28.12% female). Other reasons for HIV status testing include death of spouse, (2% male, 8.33% female) HIV positive spouse (5.2% male, 7.8% female), antenatal requirement (0.5% male, 3.1% female), marriage requirement (2% male), death or HIV positive baby (0.5% male, 3% female), hospital surgery requirement (0.5% male, 1.1% female) and voluntary (3.1% male 2% female)
Conclusions: Overall, these findings highlight the fact most people go for HIV testing only when they are sick. Despite the various strategies employed by governmental and non-governmental organizations to encourage voluntary testing the percentage of people that know their status from voluntary testing is quite low. This may not be unconnected with the high level of stigmatization accompanying HIV infection and HIV testing. In Africa, women are more vulnerable to such stigmatization and many of them are illitrate. Hence a higher percentage of women get tested for HIV as a result of death of spouse or HIV positive spouse, antenatal requirement and death or illness of their baby. More needs to be done in educating women about HIV/AIDS and their right to early HIV testing.
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
Abstract no.
CDB102
Suggested Citation
"EgieyehS., et al.
Reasons for HIV status test - the role of gender.
:
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention:
Abstract no.
CDB102"
|
|
|