| dc.description.abstract | HIV and AIDS have become the second most devastating global epidemic, after
COVID-19, that the world has ever faced and highly affecting the young and
economically active segment of the population. This epidemic is also a challenge in
South Africa as new Infections of HIV increase among women more than in men.
Effective behavioural change communication (BCC) strategies need to be designed to
rescue the future development force of the nation. Thus, VCT for HIV is included as
one of the strategies for HIV/AIDS prevention in HIV/AIDS policy, yet very little is
known about what determines VCT services. Therefore, the study aims to identify
Determinants of HIV and AIDS Testing among Women of Reproductive Age in South
Africa.
This study uses secondary data sourced from the 2016 South African Demographic
and Health Survey (SADHS). The data were summarized, analysed using Univariate,
bivariate and Multivariate analysis to show the association between variables, and a
binary logistic regression model was used to show the impact of different determinants
of VCT by controlling different confounders. The results from the analysis indicate that
there is a significant relationship between the following variables; age, region,
education, household quintile, a total lifetime number of sex partners, recent sexual
activity and knowledge and use of HIV test kits, and the HIV VCT services.
The results indicated that a significant number (90.1%) of women in the reproductive
age group had ever tested for HIV and AIDS. Evidently, the analysis exhibits that the
women who were aged between 30 to 34, 35 to 39, and 40 to 44 in South Africa were
more likely to be tested than those in the younger group. Regarding marital status, the
study found out that women who never married were likely to use VCT as compared
to married women, living together and divorced or separated. According to the results,
women in provinces such as Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng and Limpopo were
found more likely to be tested for HIV as compared to other provinces. Educational
level is another variable that was found significant in this study and participants with
higher education were less likely to test as compared to those with no education level.
In addition, women with working status were less likely to test for HIV. Finally, the
results found that women engaging in unwarranted sexual risk behaviours by having
sex with more than one partner were more likely to view the VCT services more
favourably.
The study, therefore, recommended that there must be a concerted effort to educate
and increase awareness of HIV VCT services and sexual health knowledge. There
should also be a comprehensive mobile application that will assist with HIV counselling
for women who have HIV-positive and negative statuses. Stakeholders and Policy
Makers should design and develop programmes that enhance positive sexual
behaviour among the community members to promote better interpersonal
relationship skills and psychological functioning. The study concluded by proposing
further studies in the areas such as the influences of risky sexual behaviours and the
causes of early sexual engagement amongst women. | en_US |
