Factors Associated With Low Hiv Testing Rates Among People Aged 15-65 in Maroua 1 Health District, Far North Region

Abstract Background: The HIV/AIDS infection continues to cause enormous damage in the world despite the multiple strategies developed for the response. In view of this, UNAIDS has adopted an acceleration of this response aimed at eliminating it by the year 2030. Indeed, access to screening, which remains underserved in Cameroon, is the first pillar on which action must be taken to achieve this objective. This study aimed to identify factors associated with low HIV testing in Maroua 1 Health District (MHD1). Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional quantitative study and was conducted for the benefit of 808 participants living in the MHD1 using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were established and only significant variables were retained for multivariate analyses. Associations were estimated by calculating the odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals, and P-value. Results: Results showed that 383(47.40%) participants had ever been tested and 97(12%) had done so in the past 12 months. Factors associated with low screening were noted as being male(OR=2.79; CI= 1.83–4.31; p-value<0.001), young(OR=7.95; CI=4.02–16.2; p-value<0.001), single (AOR=1.97; CI=1.19 – 3.27; p-value = 0.02), not have been to school (OR=5.25; CI = 2.26 – 12.45; p-value<0.001), low knowledge about HIV (OR= 8.77; CI=4.60 – 17.24; p-value<0.001), have a stigmatizing opinion (OR=2.46; CI=1.36 – 4.38; p-value<0.001), not be related to a partner (OR=1.70; CI=1.04 – 2.79; p-value=0.03), have never been sensitized by health personnel(OR=1.82; CI=1.21–2.75; p-value = 0.001), and have not visited a FOSA in the past 12 months (OR=1.75; CI=1.06–2.75; p-value=0.02). Conclusion: The effective consideration of these factors among the interventions of the response in the SD of Maroua 1 will contribute in the achievement of the first target of 95-95-95 objectives and the eradication of HIV by 2030.