Factors associated with HIV testing among youth in a generalised hyperendemic setting: findings from a national survey in Eswatini

Abstract

Aim: Even though Eswatini was the first country in Africa to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets among people living with HIV nationally, youth aged 15–24 years lag behind in HIV testing. This study determined the overall prevalence of HIV testing among the youth and the factors associated with HIV testing. Methods: Data were analysed for 1 834 young people from the 2016–2017 Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS2) using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Overall, 66% of the young people had tested for HIV in the past 12 months before SHIMS2. Lower odds of HIV testing were observed among males, among those aged 15–17 years, the never married/cohabited, those with primary and secondary education, and among those who had high perceived stigma towards people living with HIV and AIDS. Youth from households classified in the poor and middle quintiles had higher odds of testing for HIV compared to those from rich households. Conclusion: Efforts to increase HIV testing should consider the sociodemographic and behavioural factors identified as determinants of HIV non-testing in this age group.