Magnitude of HIV testing and socio demographic factors associated with it among adults age 15-49 years in Ethiopia

Background: Survey data in Sub-Saharan African countries in the 2005 to 2010 period showed that only 10% men and 15% women aged 15 to 24 years were aware of their human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. This study aims to assess: magnitude of HIV testing, and socio demographic factors associated with it among adults age 15-49 years.

Methods: Demographic and health surveys in 2016, in Ethiopia were analyzed in SPSS, using multivariate logistic regression. We used HIV testing as the outcome variable using the recommended definition by Ethiopia demographic and health survey (EDHS) 2016. Descriptive statistics were employed to show the distribution of socio-demographic characteristics.  

Results: Of the total sample of 27289 of men and women 15-49 years at the time of survey, 19.4% (n=5295) have been tested for HIV in the past 12 months and received the results of the last test. Men and women in the 15-19 age group 9.952 (AOR 9.95295% CI 6.156-16.091) and men and women age 15-49 years in urban areas (AOR 34.040; 95% CI: 21.028-55.105) were found significant predictors of HIV testing.

Conclusions: HIV testing among adults age 15-49 years in Ethiopia was low. Age and place of residence were found significant predictors of HIV testing there remain a high proportion of undiagnosed HIV-infected persons and for the Ethiopian government there is a need for innovative strategies aimed at increasing HIV-testing, particularly for rural areas and those beyond adolescent age.