The Effect of HIV Related Risk Factors on HIV Status: A Case of Gamo-Gofa Free Standing Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is a major development concern in many countries and is destroying the lives and livelihoods of many people around the world. This study is aimed to assess the demographic and HIV related risk behavior factors that may affect HIV status of the visitors of VCT centers. A cross sectional study was conducted in Gamo-Gofa districts, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State of Ethiopia. A total of 4028 sample were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected with a designed questionnaire from 20 voluntary counseling and testing center of the districts. If the clients visit VCT center is HIV-infected, it is categorized as HIV positive and if the client test is indicated not HIV-infected, then the visitor categorized as HIV negative status. The Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the data using the SPSS software. The results of the study revealed that the probability of an individual being HIV positive was 0.0286 and the predictor’s variables age, marriage status, education level, alcohol use, knowledge about HIV, monthly income, condom use and residence of the individual were significantly effect on being HIV-positive. Health professionals and responsible bodies should work on these significant variables to reduce the probability of being HIV positive.