Logistic regression to determine the relationship between HIV testing, HIV knowledge and attitude among adults in Kenya

Abstract

HIV testing is a critical gateway to treatment care and support services. Knowledge of HIV status can empower individuals and couples to take measures to prevent HIV acquisition or onward transmission. For those already infected, a positive result is necessary to access treatment and, in the case of pregnant mothers, to access prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services. [2] Across communities normalizing awareness of HIV status through increasing testing could reduce HIV related stigma and discrimination. (WHO,2003). Population based surveys with HIV testing provide national level prevalence estimates and the opportunity to link HIV status with behavioral, social and other biological information. The 2012 Kenya aids indicator survey (Kais,2012), provides comprehensive information on trends in HIV infection ,behaviors that place persons at risk for HIV infection ,knowledge and attitudes around HIV aids , and population based coverage of HIV prevention, care and treatment programs to understand the status of the HIV epidemic . And impact of the natural response. This study assessed of HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude and its influence on the uptake of HIV testing among adults in Kenya. In addition the study looked at the socio-demographic factors and their contribution the uptake of HIV. A sample of 12,066 adults aged between 1865 years were included in the study. Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey (KAIS, 2012) was utilized, which is a nationally representative population-based survey. Systematic review of literature from (KAIS 2012) on HIV knowledge, attitude and uptake of HIV test among adults where available were extracted. Data was also extracted for demographic characteristics. Extracted data was entered in excel and analyzed using Stata version 13. Descriptive statistics was performed to determine the characteristics of the participants and univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors influence the uptake of HIV tests. On univariate analysis, results revealed significant association of knowledge, attitude, gender, level of education, socio-economic factors with ever testing for HIV.