Pattern and Correlates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing among General Population in Nasarawa State, Nigeria: Findings from a Population-based Survey

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus testing provides an entry point into the HIV care and treatment services, necessitating the UNAIDS strategic target of getting 90% of all people living with HIV to know their HIV status by 2020. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with HIV testing among the general population in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study was an analysis of a cross-sectional survey conducted among 903 randomly selected sample of the adult population in Nasarawa state, Nigeria. Prevalence of recent HIV testing and its association with respondents' Sociodemographic variables, risky sexual behaviours, drug and alcohol use, among other factors was determined using logistic regression analysis. The proportion of respondents who ever tested for HIV was 53%%, while 30.1% did the test in the previous one year. Logistic regression revealed that factors significantly associated with HIV testing in the previous one year secondary education and higher (AOR = 1.92, 95 % CI 1.35–2.72), knowing where HIV testing are done (AOR = 31.37, 95% CI: 9.98-99.79), comprehensive knowledge of HIV ( AOR: 1.72, 95%CI: 1.24 – 2.39) and  those with low HIV personal risk perception (AOR = 3.56, 95%CI : 1.49 – 8.31). HIV testing among the general population in Nasarawa State is relatively low. Higher education, knowing where HIV testing are done, comprehensive knowledge of HIV, low HIV personal risk perception were significantly associated with HIV testing.  Awareness campaigns on HIV and specifically on the importance of HIV testing in communities must be intensified.