Knowledge of HIV Status and Barriers to HIV Testing Services among the Youth

Globally, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a public health threat and is worse in Sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS in Ghana is a serious concern and a threat to the youth, which constitute the workforce. Innovative HIV Services have the potential to address low HIV testing rates; however, the dynamics of HIV uptake are not well understood among the youth. This study, therefore, examined the evidence of knowledge of HIV status and barriers to the uptake of HIV Services among the youth in Asutifi North District. The study adopted a quantitative approach by administering questionnaires to 387 youth in the district. Subsequently, the data were coded and analyzed in STATA 14.0 Statistical Software. Findings from the study demonstrated that there was inadequate knowledge of HIV status among the youth, and they preferred to know their HIV status. A high proportion of youth have never heard of HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) Services. All barriers that prevented the efficient uptake of HIV testing and counseling services included personal level barriers (stigma and discrimination) and health workers' attitudes that hindered the efficient uptake of HTC services. HIV testing and knowing one’s HIV status are most common among married young women (OR = 3.52; p 0.001; 95% CI = 1.80–7.88). The most preferred HIV testing strategy is the "Know Your Status" campaign, while PITC has the potential to improve knowledge of HIV status. The study concludes that among the youth in Asutifi North District, there are low knowledge of HIV status, and personal and health system barriers prevent the uptake of HTC services. Being married among the youth is associated with knowledge of one’s HIV status, especially for young women. The Know Your Status campaign is also the most preferred HIV testing strategy among the youth in Asutifi North District.

Globally, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a public health threat and is worse in Sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS in Ghana is a serious concern and a threat to the youth, which constitute the workforce. Innovative HIV Services have the potential to address low HIV testing rates; however, the dynamics of HIV uptake are not well understood among the youth. This study, therefore, examined the evidence of knowledge of HIV status and barriers to the uptake of HIV Services among the youth in Asutifi North District. The study adopted a quantitative approach by administering questionnaires to 387 youth in the district. Subsequently, the data were coded and analyzed in STATA 14.0 Statistical Software. Findings from the study demonstrated that there was inadequate knowledge of HIV status among the youth, and they preferred to know their HIV status. A high proportion of youth have never heard of HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) Services. All barriers that prevented the efficient uptake of HIV testing and counseling services included personal level barriers (stigma and discrimination) and health workers' attitudes that hindered the efficient uptake of HTC services. HIV testing and knowing one’s HIV status are most common among married young women (OR = 3.52; p 0.001; 95% CI = 1.80–7.88). The most preferred HIV testing strategy is the "Know Your Status" campaign, while PITC has the potential to improve knowledge of HIV status. The study concludes that among the youth in Asutifi North District, there are low knowledge of HIV status, and personal and health system barriers prevent the uptake of HTC services. Being married among the youth is associated with knowledge of one’s HIV status, especially for young women. The Know Your Status campaign is also the most preferred HIV testing strategy among the youth in Asutifi North District.