Correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda: results from a nationally representative survey

Abstract Background Recent evidence suggests that HIV prevalence is generally higher among older than younger persons. However, few studies have explored issues regarding HIV testing and awareness of HIV status among older persons. We explored the correlates of HIV status awareness among older adult...

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Main Authors: Anne M. Nabukenya, Joseph K. B. Matovu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-09-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
HCT
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6027-z
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spelling doaj-2d31a3a6e7304a3d9f3c2fe73233731b2020-11-24T22:00:31ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582018-09-011811810.1186/s12889-018-6027-zCorrelates of HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda: results from a nationally representative surveyAnne M. Nabukenya0Joseph K. B. Matovu1MakSPH-CDC Fellowship Program, Makerere University School of Public HealthMakSPH-CDC Fellowship Program, Makerere University School of Public HealthAbstract Background Recent evidence suggests that HIV prevalence is generally higher among older than younger persons. However, few studies have explored issues regarding HIV testing and awareness of HIV status among older persons. We explored the correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults (aged 45+ years) in Uganda. Methods This paper is based on secondary analysis of existing data on persons aged between 45 and 59 years from a nationally representative Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey which was conducted between February and September 2011. Records on the socio-demographics and HIV/AIDS-specific indicators for 2472 persons were extracted for analysis. Individuals were considered to be aware of their HIV status if they reported that they had tested and received their HIV test results within the past 12 months. Data analyses were done using the sample survey procedures to take into account the sampling structure of the data. Odds ratios were used to quantify the associations between receipt of HIV test results and potential factors. Results Of the 2472 respondents, 48% had ever tested and received their HIV test results while 23% tested and received their HIV results in the past 12 months or already knew that they are HIV positive. Individuals with the following characteristics had higher odds of being aware of their HIV status: being female (adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.26; 95% CI: (1.04, 1.53), having high comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS (AOR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.58), having attended secondary school education (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.47, 2.99) and engagement in high risk sexual behaviors (AOR = 1.53; 95% CI: (1.11, 2.10). A high level of stigma (holding at least three stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV) was negatively correlated with awareness of HIV status (AOR =0.60; 95% CI: (0.45, 0.78). Conclusion Less than a quarter of older Ugandans are aware of their current HIV status. High levels of stigma and low comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS remained critical barriers to HIV testing and awareness of HIV status. These findings suggest a need for innovative HIV testing strategies to increase HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6027-zOlder adultsHIV/ AIDSHCT
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Anne M. Nabukenya
Joseph K. B. Matovu
spellingShingle Anne M. Nabukenya
Joseph K. B. Matovu
Correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda: results from a nationally representative survey
BMC Public Health
Older adults
HIV/ AIDS
HCT
author_facet Anne M. Nabukenya
Joseph K. B. Matovu
author_sort Anne M. Nabukenya
title Correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda: results from a nationally representative survey
title_short Correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda: results from a nationally representative survey
title_full Correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda: results from a nationally representative survey
title_fullStr Correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda: results from a nationally representative survey
title_full_unstemmed Correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda: results from a nationally representative survey
title_sort correlates of hiv status awareness among older adults in uganda: results from a nationally representative survey
publisher BMC
series BMC Public Health
issn 1471-2458
publishDate 2018-09-01
description Abstract Background Recent evidence suggests that HIV prevalence is generally higher among older than younger persons. However, few studies have explored issues regarding HIV testing and awareness of HIV status among older persons. We explored the correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults (aged 45+ years) in Uganda. Methods This paper is based on secondary analysis of existing data on persons aged between 45 and 59 years from a nationally representative Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey which was conducted between February and September 2011. Records on the socio-demographics and HIV/AIDS-specific indicators for 2472 persons were extracted for analysis. Individuals were considered to be aware of their HIV status if they reported that they had tested and received their HIV test results within the past 12 months. Data analyses were done using the sample survey procedures to take into account the sampling structure of the data. Odds ratios were used to quantify the associations between receipt of HIV test results and potential factors. Results Of the 2472 respondents, 48% had ever tested and received their HIV test results while 23% tested and received their HIV results in the past 12 months or already knew that they are HIV positive. Individuals with the following characteristics had higher odds of being aware of their HIV status: being female (adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.26; 95% CI: (1.04, 1.53), having high comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS (AOR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.58), having attended secondary school education (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.47, 2.99) and engagement in high risk sexual behaviors (AOR = 1.53; 95% CI: (1.11, 2.10). A high level of stigma (holding at least three stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV) was negatively correlated with awareness of HIV status (AOR =0.60; 95% CI: (0.45, 0.78). Conclusion Less than a quarter of older Ugandans are aware of their current HIV status. High levels of stigma and low comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS remained critical barriers to HIV testing and awareness of HIV status. These findings suggest a need for innovative HIV testing strategies to increase HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda.
topic Older adults
HIV/ AIDS
HCT
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6027-z
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