Abstract:

The HIV prevalence in the Zimbabwean population aged 15-49 years remains high (15.2%). Most adolescents do not know their HIV status despite knowing a place to get tested. We determined barriers to HIV testing and counseling (HCT) among sexually active adolescents and young adults in Harare City

We conducted a cross-sectional study among sexually active adolescents and young adults. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Information was collected on individual characteristics, HIV testing acceptance, risk behaviors and reasons for having never been tested. Epi-Info 7 was used to analyze data. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used to assess independent determinants for not testing for HIV. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.01.

A total of 427 adolescents and young adults were recruited. The majority (56.9%) were female. Of these, 186(43.6%) had never tested for HIV. Participants listed not knowing where to get tested (60.8%), low risk perception (29%), never having been offered a test(21.5%), fear of a positive result(16.1%), being embarrassed (10.2%), parents who will not allow (7.5%), failure to afford consultation fees(5.9%), and being worried about health worker confidentiality(5.9%) as reasons for not having been tested. In multivariate analysis being afraid of a positive result [aOR=0.07; 95%CI (0.01-0.30)] and being male [aOR=0.43; 95%CI (0.23-0.80)] were independently associated with never having had an HIV test.

Barriers to HIV testing identified in this study can be easily resolved by applying innovative approaches tailored to increase access to and acceptance of HIV-testing services among the adolescent and young adult populations.

Keywords: Adolescents, HIV Testing, Correlates, Barriers, Harare City.

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