Factors associated with self-reported HIV testing among men in Uganda

Abstract

This study examined rates and predictors of self-reported HIV testing and willingness to test among married men aged 15–59 in Uganda. The data are nationally representative and drawn from the 2000–01 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. The results of multiple regression analyses indicate that knowledge about AIDS, a history of paying for sex, spousal communication about HIV prevention, secondary or higher education, household wealth, and neighbourhood knowledge of a test site are associated with an increased likelihood of HIV testing. The higher the frequency of injection use in the past 3 months and the greater the level of interest in learning how to help one's partner have a safe pregnancy, the higher was the likelihood of willingness to test for HIV. Findings suggest that voluntary counselling and testing programmes need to target older married men aged 30–59 and expand services to the Northern region, where previously untested men indicated significantly higher desires of HIV testing.