HIV self-testing knowledge, individual beliefs, and HIV self-testing use among unskilled workers in Wakiso district

Abstract

The government, through the Ministry of Health and implementing partners, has made a significant investment in HIV prevention by promoting testing through self-testing to improve status awareness, which is one of the 95-95-95 goals. However, testing service uptake is still sub-optimal. It is however noticeable that even though self-testing initiatives have been around for long, the untamed individual beliefs together with the limited HIVST knowledge especially in contexts such as workplaces make usage a mystery. Increased HIV testing among this population fosters serostatus awareness hence entry into care and safer sex practices which increases organizational productivity. The study examines HIV self-testing knowledge, individual beliefs, and HIV self-testing use among unskilled workers in Wakiso using the health belief model. This was a cross-sectional study among unskilled workers of Darling (U) Ltd. 453 participants were selected using stratified and systematic random sampling. Standardized questionnaires were used and analyzed using correlations and regressions. HIV self-testing (HIVST) knowledge was positively related to HIVST use (r=.387, p≤.01); perceived susceptibility (r=.212, p≤.01); perceived benefits (r=.152, p≤.01) and perceived barriers (r=.101, p≤.05). Individual beliefs that is perceived susceptibility (r=.355, p≤.01); perceived benefits (r=.487, p≤.01); and perceived barriers (r=.148, p≤.01) are significantly related to HIVST use. Perceived individual beliefs were the best predictor of HIVST use at 44.2%. Individual beliefs partially mediate the relationship between HIVST knowledge and use that is perceived susceptibility (β=.059, 1[.029, .099]); perceived benefits (β=.065, 1[.022, .005]); and perceived barriers (β=.010, [.000, .029]). Therefore, increasing awareness regarding the benefits of HIVST among such populations increases the chances of sero-status awareness which is part of the 95-95-95 goals of UNAIDS. There’s a need to conduct a longitudinal study to determine whether behavior modification will be sustained after introducing accessible and convenient testing services.