Regional differences of self-reported HIV testing among men in Haiti: an analysis of the 2016–2017 Demographic and Health Survey

ABSTRACT

Haiti has the greatest burden of HIV in the Caribbean. In 2018, the country’s HIV prevalence was 2% with an estimated 2200 AIDS-related deaths. Using 2016–2017 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data, Haitian men’s self-reported ever-having HIV testing was analyzed with a focus on their regions of residence. Only 34% of the men reported ever-having HIV testing. Men who lived in Northern region (aOR:1.59, 95%CI:1.23–2.05), and Southern region (aOR:1.26, 95%CI:1.04–1.53) had higher odds of ever-having HIV testing compared to men residing in Central region. Further research should prioritize targeted health promotion for engaging Haitian men who are younger, poorer, with low-level of education and single as well as those who reside in regions where HIV testing is not easily accessible. Haitian men who have not had an HIV test must first be identified and demographic-specific interventions and programming should be used to increase HIV testing among this population.

KEYWORDS:

• Haiti
• HIV
• men
• Regional
• testing

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank USAID for their work on the DHS data and for making the data available to the public, as well as granting permission to use the data.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

A.H. thanks the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the Grace Jordan McFadden Professor’s Program at the University of South Carolina for their continued financial support. D.F.C was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant #R00MH110343: PI: D.F.C.). M.J.B. is also supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant #K01MH115794).