HIV Testing and Sexual Practices of Young People in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

HIV Testing and Sexual Practices of Young People in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article HIV Testing and Sexual Practices of Young People in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana Augustine Liborjal Jawol, Doris Koryo Ohipeni, Hubert Amu This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6220355/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Young people have a surge in sex-related interest throughout this stage of life which increases their risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). HIV Testing is a critical strategy to reduce the rate of new HIV infections and the key entry point to HIV treatment, care, and support services. We examined the prevalence and predictors of HIV testing and sexual practices among young people in the Hohoe Municipality. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study among 423 young people aged 15-24 years using a questionnaire administered with Kobo Toolbox. Descriptive and inferential statistics including chi-square and logistic regression models were adopted in analysing with STATA version 17.0. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results : The prevalence of HIV testing was 20.1%. Risky sexual behaviour was 35.7%. Males (aOR=0.38, 95% CI=0.20–0.74, p=0.004), those who had JHS level of education (aOR=0.11, 95% CI=0.02–0.53, p=0.006), and who did not feel comfortable discussing HIV testing with health providers (aOR=0.37, 95% CI=0.17–0.78, p=0.009) had lower odds of testing for HIV. Conversely, those who tested for other STIs were more likely to test for HIV (aOR=5.14, 95% CI=2.59–10.17, p<0.001) than those who did not. Respondents living with their spouses or significant others (aOR=3.10, 95% CI=1.20-7.96, p=0.01) and those who were married (aOR=0.46, 95% CI=0.23, 0.93, p=0.032) had higher odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviour. Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV testing was low and significantly influenced by sex, educational level, and history of STI testing apart from HIV, comfort discussing HIV testing with a health provider, knowledge of accessing testing services, and inadequate knowledge about HIV transmission predicted HIV testing. The low prevalence of HIV testing in the population poses a challenge to achieving Target 3.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target. We recommend targeted interventions to increase HIV testing among young people, focusing on educational programs, improved healthcare communication, and promotion of safe sex practices. HIV Testing Sexual Practices Young People Figures Figure 1 Introduction There has been a 38% decrease in new HIV infections globally due to progress made in addressing the burden of Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) since 2010 [ 1 ]. Despite this tremendous advancement, Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) account for a greater proportion of people living with HIV globally [ 1 ]. In 2021, Eastern and Southern Africa had 53% of the HIV burden in the world [ 1 ]. Thirty percent of HIV-positive individuals were young people aged 15–24 years old [ 2 ]. Just 10% of men and 15% of women in this age range (15–24) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are aware of their HIV status [ 3 ]. Infancy (due to mother-to-child transmission) and adolescence (due to their sexual practices and gender differences) are the two periods in a young person's life when they are exposed to HIV [ 4 ]. HIV prevention has been a challenge in this age group due to problems with social norms and vulnerability, highly risky sexual behaviours, policy barriers, poor care-seeking behaviours, and access to services [ 5 ]. The coverage of HIV testing within this age group remains low for some of these problems. The teenage years and the beginning of adulthood are a time of change, development, adventure, and opportunity [ 6 ]. Young people have a surge in sex-related interest throughout this stage of life, which is frequently linked to an increase in risk-taking, which increases their risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like HIV [ 7 ]. Young people are individuals between the ages of 10 and 24 but can also be referred to as people between the ages of 15 and 24 depending on the context [ 1 ]. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the median age of sexual debut ranges between 15–18 years [ 8 ]. It is, therefore, not surprising that sexual intercourse has become the most predominant mode of transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for approximately 90% of all HIV infections [ 9 ]. The lifestyles of young people in Ghana are placing them at risk of contracting HIV [ 3 ]. Ghana recorded 542,131 pregnancies between 2016 and 2020 among young people (15–24 years) [ 10 ]. This means that these young people are predisposed to HIV infection and potentially transmit it to their partners. HIV testing is a confidential counseling process that allows a person to make an informed decision about learning about their HIV status and obtaining recommendations [ 11 ]. HIV testing is well-recognized as a necessary tool for HIV prevention and treatment [ 12 ]. It is, however, not optimal in Ghana [ 3 ]. About 71% of the people living with HIV in Ghana, for instance, know their status [ 13 ]. This suggests that the remaining 29% of the people living with HIV still do not know their status and may be actively transmitting it and delaying the management process. Young people are seen to be in the category of higher risk of contracting HIV infections and here is the case they do not know their HIV status [ 8 ]. Compared to Ghana's national HIV prevalence of 1.7 percent, Hohoe Municipality's HIV prevalence is higher at 3.4% according to the Ghana HIV sentinel survey (2018) despite various interventions implemented help curb this menace. In the municipality, neither the public nor the university students that visit the Municipality are aware of HIV testing and counseling uptake or the variables that are driving the testing [ 3 ]. This poses a challenge to the ability of the Municipality in contributing to the attainment of the agenda 95-95-95 set by UNAIDS and adopted by the Ghana AIDS Commission, which seeks to have 95 percent of persons living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of persons who know their status are put on antiretroviral therapy and 95 percent of persons on treatment have their viral load suppressed by 2025. Available literature used secondary data [ 6 , 8 ] and also focused on the national level. In the Hohoe Municipality, a study conducted focused on tertiary education students [ 3 ]. There is, therefore, a paucity of literature on the topic at the community level and using primary data. We, thus sought to investigate HIV testing and sexual practices of young people in the Hohoe Municipality and the factors that predict these outcomes. Findings from this study could inform policy makers and implementers on sexual health and HIV policies and programmes needed to further increase HIV testing among young people in Ghana and beyond. Materials and Method Study setting The Hohoe Municipality is one of the 18 administrative districts/municipalities in the Volta region of Ghana. The Municipality has a total land surface area of 1,172 km square and it shares boundary with Togo on the East, Afadzato District on the southeast, Kpando Municipal on southwest with and the North West with Biakoye district. The Hohoe Municipality is divided into five sub-municipality namely, Hohoe-sub, Likpe, Gbi-rural, Agumatsa and Alavanyo. Hohoe has a Regional Hospital offering tertiary services and serves as a major referral centre for the other Health Centres which are located at vantage points serving the rural population with primary health care. All the health centers provide HIV testing services. The health facilities provide two type of tests which are the Oral quick and RDT. The third type of tests which is microscopic is only done at the Regional Hospital as confirmation test. Health is an important sector of the Municipal’s Social Services delivery system. HIV prevalence rate in the Hohoe Municipality averaged 3.4 percent in 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2018. In 2020, the prevalence rate was 1.8 percent. The lowest prevalence rate over the period 2009–2020 was 1.0 percent in 2015 [ 14 ]. Study design This study employed a community-based cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and predictors of HIV testing and sexual practices of young people in the Hohoe municipality, Ghana. Study population Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 who regularly dwell in the communities within the Hohoe Municipality for a minimum of 12 months were included in the study population. The 12-month residency requirement in the chosen areas was put into place to make sure that participants had established a somewhat solid living arrangement, health seeking arrangement and expressing their sexual habits within the Hohoe Municipality. The study excluded young people (15–24 years) who reside in Hohoe Municipality for 12 months or more but had significant medical illnesses or comorbidities, mental disorders or cognitive impairments. Sampling The sample size for this study was calculated using Cochran’s formula ( \(\:\frac{{(\mathbf{Z}\:\varvec{\alpha\:}/2)}^{2}\times\:\mathbf{P}(1-\mathbf{P})}{{\mathbf{d}}^{2}}\) ), a prevalence of 45.5% for HIV testing among young people based on [ 15 ] with a 95% confidence level (Z α/2 = 1.96) and 5% absolute precision (d = 0.05). $$\:\text{n}=\frac{{\left(1.96\right)}^{2}\times\:0.455(1-0.455)}{{0.05}^{2}}$$ $$\:\text{n}=\frac{\left(3.8416\right)\times\:0.455\left(0.545\right)}{0.0025}$$ n = 381 The formula yielded a minimum sample size of 381. Adjusting for a 10% non-response rate, the sample size was 419. However, 423 participants were recruited into the study. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select four sub-municipalities, ten communities, and 423 participants from the Hohoe Municipality. In the first stage, all five sub-municipalities (Alavanyo, Agumatsa, Gbi-rural and Hohoe-sub) were all selected as the initial sampling units to ensure representation from all relevant areas. Following this, a simple random selection technique was used to choose communities. A comprehensive list of communities within each sub-municipality was created, and two communities were randomly selected from each using a random number generator (Microsoft Excel). This approach ensured unbiased representation, providing equal chances of selection for all communities. Within the chosen communities, households were selected using simple random sampling. Starting from the center of each community, a random direction was chosen by spinning a pen, and the first household in that direction was visited for data collection. After each household, the next one facing the entrance of the previous household was selected. If the end of the direction was reached, the data collector returned to the community center and repeated the process until the required sample size was reached, avoiding surveyed households. In cases with more than one eligible respondent in a household, a ballot system was used, where only those selecting a 'YES' ballot participated in the survey. Variables Outcome Variables HIV testing and risky sexual behaviour were the main outcome variables of this study. HIV testing was measured with single question; “Have you ever been tested for HIV?” This was coded as Yes = 1 and No = 0. The respondents were considered to have engaged in risky sexual behaviour when, they have multiple sexual partners (having more than one sexual partner), sexual debut at the age < 16 years old (age at first sex) and inconsistent (sometimes/never) use of condom (frequency of condom usage). The variable, 'risky sexual behaviour', was dichotomized as a binary response with 1 representing “Yes” if the study participants practiced any of the above behaviours and 0 representing “No” if respondents did not engage in any of the above behaviours. Risky sexual behaviour questions were adapted from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS2017/18), Survey findings report [ 16 ]. Explanatory variables Thirteen explanatory variables and four explanatory variables were adopted to measure HIV testing and risky sexual behaviour respectfully. HIV testing was measured using: socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, religion, educational level, residency type, marital status, occupation, currently live with, presence of father during early age and presence of mother during early age), ‘I believe it is important to get tested for HIV’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘I feel comfortable discussing HIV testing with healthcare providers’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘I am knowledgeable about where to access HIV testing services in Hohoe’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘fear of positive test results’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘fear of stigma and discrimination associated with HIV’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘knowledge about HIV and its transmission’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘I trust HIV testing service providers’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘social norms and cultural beliefs about HIV and testing’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘availability and accessibility of HIV testing services’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘emotional impact experienced by those who test positive for HIV’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘perceived risk of HIV infection’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1 and ‘I engaged in risky sexual behaviour’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1. Also, the explanatory variables influencing risky sexual behaviours of young people was measured using: socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, religion, educational level, residency type, marital status, occupation, currently live with, presence of father during early age and presence of mother during early age), ‘family and cultural values influence my sexual practices’ which was recoded as strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1, ‘peer pressure affects my sexual decision-making’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1 and ‘lack of access to sexual health information hinders safer sexual practices’ which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree = 0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree = 1. All these variables and their measurement were adopted from Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS2017/18), Survey findings report [ 16 ]. These variables have been added because of previous studies which have found them as significant predictors of the outcomes [ 3 , 6 , 8 ]. Data collection Data collection was done from 28th February to 15th April, 2024 using a semi-structured questionnaire with the aid of Kobo Toolbox. The questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and personality traits among young people. The questionnaire was developed based on the objectives of the study. It had six sections. Section A was based on the background characteristics which consisted of age, sex, religion, ethnicity, living arrangements, level of education and marital status. Sections B was based on sexual practices of participants. Issues in this section included ever had sexual intercourse and number of times one may have had sexual intercourse. Others included current relationship status, age of partner at sexual debut and use of contraception during most recent sexual intercourse. Section C was based on level of HIV testing. Section D focused on the factors influencing HIV testing among the respondents. Section E focused on factors influencing risky sexual behaviour of young people. Issues included attitude of health care providers, privacy and confidentiality. While some questions were close-ended, others were open-ended. Responses of participants to the open-ended questions were, however, categorized to make them close-ended for analysis. All the smartphones for data collection were encrypted and protected with a password and this ensured the confidentiality of the participant’s biodata. Furthermore, data management, storage, analysis and reporting were done using codes so as not to expose the details of the respondents to ensure anonymity. Data was cleaned to prevent duplicate and errors to ensure validity and quality. Data Analysis Data collected were extracted from the kobo toolbox in csv format and cleaned to ensure data quality and accuracy. Analysis was done using the STATA version 17.0. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and proportions were done on categorical variables which was presented in charts and tables. Inferential statistics such as chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to determine the association between explanatory and the outcome variables. All the explanatory variables were included in the bivariate logistic regression analyses. All the variables that showed significant association at p-value < 0.05 with the outcome variables were then included in the multivariable models. Results Socio-demographic characteristics of young people in the Hohoe municipality. Table 1 presents the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. In total, 423 young people participated in the study. The majority of the respondents (71.2%) were between the ages of 20 and 24 years. Females were slightly higher (51.1%) than their male counterpart. Majority (43.7%) live with their parent(s) or guardian(s) (see Table 1 ). Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics of study participants. Variable Frequency (N = 423) Percentage (%) Age group (In completed years) 15–19 122 28.8 20–24 301 71.2 Sex Female 216 51.1 Male 207 48.9 Currently live with I live alone 84 19.9 Siblings/relatives 120 28.4 Parents/guardian 194 43.7 Spouse/Significant others 34 8.0 Presence of Father during early age No 80 18.9 Yes 343 81.1 Presence of Mother during early age No 49 11.6 Yes 374 88.4 Marital status Single 383 90.5 Married 40 9.5 Educational level None 17 4.0 Primary 25 6.1 JHS 103 24.4 SHS 154 36.4 Tertiary 123 29.1 Occupation Farmer 41 9.7 Trader 69 16.3 Student 237 56.0 Unemployed 76 18.0 Religion Christianity 360 85.1 Islam 53 12.5 African Traditional Religion 10 2.4 HIV testing among young people in Hohoe Municipality Approximately 20 percent (n = 85) of the respondents reported ever been tested for HIV. Among those tested, the majority (56.5%, n = 48) had undergone testing once in their life-time, while 21.2% (n = 18) had been tested twice. Government hospitals/clinics (70.6%, n = 60) were the most common testing facilities (Table 4 ). Sexual practices of young people in Hohoe Municipality . Table 2 presents the sexual practices of the respondents. Fifty-five percent (n = 233) of the respondents had ever had sexual intercourse, of which majority (62.7%, n = 146) had their sexual debut between 15 and 19 years. About 17.2 percent (n = 40) ever had sexual intercourse under the influence of drugs or alcohol (Table 2 ). Table 2 Sexual practices of respondents Variable Frequency Percentage (%) Ever had sexual intercourse (n = 423) No 190 44.9 Yes 233 55.1 Age at first sexual intercourse 10–14 14 6.0 15–19 146 62.7 20–24 73 31.3 Number of Sexual partners since birth < 2 154 66.1 2–3 43 18.5 4–5 25 10.7 6+ 11 4.7 Number of Sexual partners in the last 12 months < 2 212 91.0 2–3 8 3.4 4–5 9 3.9 6+ 4 1.7 Number of Current sexual partners < 2 219 94.0 2–3 9 3.9 4–5 4 1.7 6+ 1 0.4 Ever had sexual intercourse while on drugs or alcohol No 172 73.8 Yes 40 17.2 Can’t remember Ever been pregnant or impregnated someone 21 9.0 No 153 65.7 Yes 80 34.3 Decision about pregnancy (n = 80) Kept the baby 48 60.0 Abortion 32 40.0 Contraceptive used during last sexual intercourse* Condom 103 44.2 Birth control pill 81 34.8 Withdrawal method 46 19.7 Other barrier method 24 10.3 None 29 12.5 Preferred contraceptive* Condom 96 41.2 Birth control pill 99 42.5 Withdrawal method 43 18.5 Rhythm method 3 1.3 Other barrier method 24 10.3 None 10 4.3 Frequency of condom usage Always 29 12.5 Sometimes 125 53.7 Never 79 33.9 *Multiple responses Overall, risky sexual behaviour among the respondents was seen to be low (35.7%, n = 151) among the respondents (Fig. 1). Table 4 HIV testing among participants Variable Frequency Percentage (%) Tested for HIV (n = 423) No 338 79.9 Yes 85 20.1 Number of times tested for HIV (n = 85) Once 48 56.5 Twice 18 21.2 Thrice or more 19 22.3 Place last tested (n = 85) Government Hospital/Clinic 60 70.6 Private Hospital/clinic 13 15.2 I tested my self 6 7.1 Others (school, church, screening programs) 6 7.1 Reason for HIV test*(n = 85) Concern about potential exposure 15 17.6 Medical check-up 52 61.2 Partner’s request 6 7.1 Pregnancy 12 14.1 Symptoms of illness 2 2.3 Other 3 3.5 Tested for HIV with partner (n = 85) No 67 78.8 Yes 18 21.2 Reason not testing for HIV* (n = 338) I am not at risk 101 29.9 Have not had sex before 68 20.1 I protect myself always 64 18.9 Afraid to know my status 68 20.1 Others 84 24.9 Interested in getting tested (n = 338) No 81 24.0 Yes 257 76.0 Person to disclose status to if tested positive of HIV* No one 89 21.0 Parents 243 57.5 Other relatives 27 6.4 Friends 38 9.0 Partner 122 28.8 Religious leader 11 2.6 Health worker 52 12.3 Other 4 1.0 *Multiple responses Factors associated with HIV testing of young people in Hohoe Municipality The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male respondents were 62 percent (aOR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.20–0.74, p = 0.004) less likely to test for HIV compared to the female. The respondents who reported their educational level as JHS were 89 percent (aOR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.02–0.53, p = 0.006) less likely to test for HIV compared to the respondents who reported none for educational level. Also, respondents who had ever tested for STI apart from HIV were about 5 times (aOR = 5.14, 95% CI = 2.59–10.17, p < 0.001) more likely to have been tested for HIV compared to the respondents who had never tested for STI (Table 5 ). Table 5 Logistic regression analysis of factors associated with HIV testing among young people in Hohoe Municipality Variable Ever tested for HIV (n = 85, 20.1%) cOR (95% CI), p-value aOR (95% CI), p-value Age 15–19 17 (13.9) 1 1 20–24 68 (22.6) 1.80 (1.01–3.22), 0.046 0.87 (0.40–1.89), 0.725 Sex Female 58 (26.9) 1 1 Male 27 (13.0) 0.41 (0.25–0.68), < 0.001 0.38 (0.20–0.74), 0.004 Currently live with I live alone 20 (23.9) 1 1 Siblings/relatives 12 (10.0) 0.36 (0.16–0.78), 0.009 0.79 (0.31–2.06), 0.634 Parent(s)/Guardian(s) 35 (18.9) 0.75 (0.40–1.39), 0.358 1.08 (0.50–2.35), 0.837 Spouse/Significant others 18 (52.9) 3.6 (1.55–8.34), 0.003 3.57 (0.66–19.26), 0.139 Presence of Father during early age No 18 (22.5) 1 Yes 67 (19.5) 0.84 (0.46–1.51), 0.55 Presence of Father during early age No 7 (14.3) 1 Yes 78 (20.9) 1.58 (0.68–3.66), 0.28 Marital status Single 65 (17.0) 1 1 Married 20 (50.0) 4.89 (2.25–9.61), < 0.001 2.56 (0.53–12.35), 0.241 Educational level None 7 (41.2) 1 1 Primary 9 (34.6) 0.76 (0.21–2.66), 0.664 0.59 (0.11–3.12), 0.536 JHS 16 (15.5) 0.26 (0.09–0.79), 0.018 0.11 (0.02–0.53), 0.006 SHS 29 (18.8) 0.33 (0.12–0.94), 0.039 0.25 (0.06–1.12), 0.070 Tertiary 24 (19.5) 0.35 (0.12-1.00), 0.051 0.26 (0.05–1.131), 0.104 Occupation Farmer 11 (26.8) 1 1 Trader 21 (30.4) 1.19 (0.50–2.82), 0.687 2.18 (0.67–7.11), 0.196 Student 31 (13.1) 0.41 (0.19–0.90), 0.027 0.95 (0.29–3.11), 0.933 Unemployed 22 (29.0) 1.11 (0.47–2.60), 0.808 1.13 (0.34–3.73), 0.843 Religion Christianity 73 (20.3) 1 Islam 8 (15.1) 0.70 (0.32–1.54), 0.38 African traditional religion 4 (40.0) 2.62 (0.72–9.53), 0.14 Ever received CSE c No 22 (13.3) 1 1 Yes 63 (24.5) 2.13 (1.25–3.62), 0.005 1.77 (0.78-4.00), 0.170 Ever tested for STI d apart from HIV No 39 (12.0) 1 1 Yes 46 (47.4) 6.64 (3.94–11.17), < 0.001 5.14 (2.59–10.17), < 0.001 Ever diagnosed of STI d apart from HIV No 70 (18.1) 1 1 Yes 15 (41.7) 3.23 (1.59–6.59), 0.001 1.31 (0.48–3.59), 0.602 Believe it is important to get tested Agree 81 (21.1) 1 Disagree 4 (10.3) 0.43 (0.15–1.24), 0.12 Comfortable discussing HIV testing with health worker Agree 67 (23.3) 1 1 Disagree 18 (13.2) 0.50 (0.28–0.88), 0.017 0.37 (0.17–0.78), 0.009 Knowledge of accessing testing services Agree 68 (27.8) 1 1 Disagree 17 (10.0) 0.27 (0.16–0.49), < 0.001 0.37 (0.17–0.80), 0.012 Afraid of positive results Agree 61 (26.1) 1 1 Disagree 24 (12.7) 0.41 (0.25–0.69), 0.001 0.52 (0.26–1.04), 0.063 Fear of stigmatization if tested positive Agree 64 (23.1) 1 1 Disagree 21 (14.4) 0.56 (0.33–0.96), 0.035 0.64 (0.31–1.30), 0.215 Inadequate knowledge about HIV transmission Agree 18 (10.5) 1 1 Disagree 67 (26.7) 3.12 (1.77–5.47), < 0.001 2.25 (1.10–4.57), 0.025 Do not trust HIV testing providers Agree 28 (19.9) 1 Disagree 57 (20.2) 1.02 (0.62–1.70), 0.93 Culture as a barrier to HIV testing Agree 8 (14.6) 1 Disagree 77 (20.9) 1.55 (0.71–3.42), 0.27 Emotional impact of positive result Agree 34 (21.0) 1 Disagree 51 (19.5) 0.91 (0.56–1.49), 0.72 At risk of contracting HIV Agree 26 (21.1) 1 Disagree 59 (19.7) 0.91 (0.54–1.53), 0.73 *Multiple responses; c = comprehensive sexuality education; d = sexually transmitted infection; cOR = crude or unadjusted odd ratio; aOR = adjusted odd ratio; CI = confidence interval Factors associated with risky sexual behaviour of young people in Hohoe Municipality The logistic regression analysis showed that respondents who currently live with spouse or significant others were about 3 times (aOR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.20–7.96, p = 0.01) more likely to had engaged in risky sexual practices compared to those who lived alone. Furthermore, respondents who were married were 54 percent (aOR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.23–0.93, p = 0.032) less likely to had engaged in risky sexual practices compared to single respondents (Table 6 ). Table 6 Logistic regression analysis of factors associated with risky sexual behaviour among participants Variable Risky sexual behaviour (n = 151, 35.7%) cOR (95% CI), p-value aOR (95% CI), p-value Age 15–19 41 (33.6) 1 20–24 110 (36.5) 1.14 (0.73–1.77), 0.57 Sex Female 86 (39.8) 1 Male 65 (31.4) 0.69 (0.46–1.03), 0.07 Currently live with I live alone 33 (39.3) 1 1 Siblings/relatives 38 (31.7) 0.72 (0.30–1.28), 0.262 0.84 (0.44–1.58), 0.588 Parent(s)/Guardian(s) 56 (30.3) 0.67 (0.39–1.15), 0.146 0.74 (0.42–1.32), 0.305 Spouse/Significant others 24 (70.6) 3.71 (1.57–8.75), 0.003 3.10 (1.20–7.96), 0.019 Presence of Father during early age No 32 (40.0) 1 Yes 119 (34.7) 0.80 (0.48–1.31), 0.373 Presence of Mother during early age No 26 (53.1) 1 Yes 125 (33.4) 0.44 (0.24–0.81), 0.008 1.25 (0.68–2.28), 0.476 Marital status Single 120 (31.3) 1 1 Married 31 (77.5) 7.55 (3.49–16.35), < 0.001 0.46 (0.23–0.93), 0.032 Educational level None 10 (58.8) 1 1 Primary 18 (69.2) 1.58 (0.44–5.64), 0.485 1.41 (0.35–5.61), 0.629 JHS 36 (35.0) 0.38 (0.13–1.07), 0.067 0.422 (0.14–1.28), 0.129 SHS 41 (26.6) 0.25 (0.09–0.71), 0.009 0.32 (0.11–0.95), 0.040 Tertiary 46 937.4) 0.41 (0.15–1.17), 0.098 0.53 (0.18–1.59), 0.258 Occupation Farmer 18 (43.9) 1 Trader 28 (40.6) 0.87 (0.40–1.91), 0.733 Student 72 (30.4) 0.56 (0.28–1.10), 0.090 Unemployed 33 (43.4) 0.98 (0.46–2.11), 0.960 Religion Christianity 125 (34.7) 1 Islam 23 (43.4) 1.44 (0.80–2.58), 0.221 African traditional religion 3 (30.0) 0.81 (0.20–3.17), 0.757 Ever tested for STI d apart from HIV No 101 (31.0) 1 1 Yes 50 (51.6) 2.37 (1.49–3.76), < 0.001 1.90 (1.09–3.30), 0.024 Ever diagnosed of STI d apart from HIV No 129 (33.3) 1 1 Yes 22 (61.1) 3.14 (1.56–6.35), 0.001 1.98 (0.86–4.55), 0.108 Family and cultural values influence my sexual practices Agree 71 (33.0) 1 Disagree 80 (38.5) 1.27 (0.85–1.89), 0.244 Peer pressure affect my sexual decision-making Agree 76 (42.0) 1 1 Disagree 75 (31.0) 0.62 (0.42–0.9), 0.020 0.63 (0.40–1.01), 0.053 Lack of access to sexual health information hinders safer sexual practices Agree 107 (35.3) 1 Disagree 44 (36.7) 1.06 (0.68–1.64), 0.793 Media affects my sexual decision-making Agree 80 (41.2) 1 1 Disagree 71 (31.0) 0.64 (0.43–0.96), 0.029 0.85 (0.54–1.35), 0.495 Discussion The prevalence of HIV testing was 20.1% among young people. This suggest that many young people in the Hohoe Municipality do not access the HIV testing services in the Municipality. Comparatively low rates of HIV testing among young people have been reported in various countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Kumasi Metropolitan, Ghana [ 18 – 21 ]. The percentage of young people who went for HIV testing was 21.6% in Kenya [ 22 ], 26% in Ethiopia [ 4 ], 18% in South Africa [ 23 ] and 21.6% in Kumasi Metropolitan, Ghana, [ 24 ]. A study conducted by [ 3 ] among tertiary institution students in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana, revealed that 30.6% of respondents had ever tested for HIV/AIDS, slightly higher than the prevalence found in the current study. This difference could be attributed to variations in the study populations, particularly in terms of educational level. Furthermore, the prevalence of HIV testing differed significantly between age groups, with respondents aged 20–24 years exhibiting a higher prevalence compared to those aged 15–19 years. Similar findings were reported by [ 8 , 15 ] indicating that young adults aged 20–24 years are more likely to undergo HIV testing compared to adolescents aged 15–19 years. Barriers faced by adolescents in accessing healthcare services, such as judgmental attitudes of health providers, lack of privacy and confidentiality, financial constraints, and inadequate information about testing centers, may contribute to the lower testing rates among this age group [ 25 ]. The results of this study indicate that several factors influence HIV testing among young people in the Hohoe Municipality. Specifically, sex, educational level, history of STI testing apart from HIV, comfort discussing HIV testing with a health provider, knowledge of accessing testing services, and inadequate knowledge about HIV transmission were identified as significant factors. The study findings revealed that females were more likely to have undergone HIV testing compared to their male counterparts. This finding is consistent with research conducted by UNAIDS in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which reported that only 24% of young women and 20% of young men aged 15–24 had been tested for HIV [ 1 ]. Similarly, [ 8 ] found in a study on risky sexual behaviours and HIV testing among young people in Ghana that 32% of young women and 13% of young men had tested for HIV. The lower level of HIV testing among males can be attributed to differences in healthcare-seeking behaviour, with females generally being more likely to access healthcare than males [ 26 ]. Additionally, HIV counselling and testing services are integrated into antenatal care as part of measures to reduce mother-to-child transmission in Ghana [ 27 ]. Some females in the current study may have accessed antenatal care before the commencement of the study, contributing to the variations in HIV testing levels between females and males. Educational attainment emerged as a significant predictor of HIV testing in this study. Surprisingly, respondents with Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) education were less likely to have undergone HIV testing compared to those with no formal education. This finding contradict studies conducted by [ 26 ] in Burundi, [ 28 ] in Nigeria, and [ 4 ] in Ethiopia, which found that higher educational levels were associated with a higher likelihood of HIV testing. In Ghana, [ 12 ] reported that individuals with higher education were more inclined to undergo HIV testing compared to those with no formal education. This discrepancy may be attributed to the extensive HIV awareness campaigns led by the Ghana AIDS Commission and the increased accessibility of HIV testing services in communities, regardless of school availability. Additionally, testing for STIs apart from HIV was observed as a factor influencing HIV testing. The respondents who had ever tested for any STI apart from HIV were more likely to have tested for HIV compared with the respondents who had never tested for any STI apart from HIV. This is in correlation with the findings of [ 29 ] where young people who had history of ever testing for STIs were more likely to have tested for HIV. Young people who receive STI testing at hospitals or health facilities had the opportunity of being tested for HIV because STIs increase the risk of HIV transmission. This, therefore, allows for young people to opt to have an HIV test as part of their STI treatment. The study also found that respondents who disagreed to ‘I feel comfortable discussing HIV testing with a health provider’ were less likely to have tested for HIV compared to those who agreed. This finding aligns with a study by [ 30 ] in Ghana which highlighted the importance of provider-patient communication in influencing health-seeking behaviours, particularly in the context of HIV testing. Studies have shown that individuals who perceive healthcare providers as non-judgmental, supportive, and approachable are more likely to seek HIV testing and other sexual health services [ 7 , 31 ]. This underscores the significant role of comfort levels in healthcare provider interactions on HIV testing behaviour. Feeling comfortable discussing HIV testing with healthcare providers is crucial for facilitating open and effective communication about sexual health and testing options. Understanding how to access testing services emerged as a significant factor influencing HIV testing behaviour among the respondents. Those who disagreed with the statement “I am knowledgeable about where to access testing services” were less likely to have undergone HIV testing compared to those who agreed. This finding is consistent with research conducted by [ 32 ] in Nigeria, which similarly identified that a lack of knowledge about where to access HIV services decreases the likelihood of HIV testing. Again, a study by [ 33 ] on Predictors of Utilisation of Voluntary Counselling and Testing of HIV among In-School Teenagers in Ife, Central Local Government Area, Nigeria also revealed similar results. Inadequate knowledge of HIV transmission emerged as a determinant of HIV testing behaviour among the respondents. Those who disagreed with the statement “I don’t have adequate knowledge about HIV transmission” were more likely to have undergone HIV testing compared to those who agreed with the statement. This finding aligns with research conducted by [ 3 ] in Ghana, which similarly identified that insufficient knowledge about HIV transmission reduces the likelihood of HIV testing among tertiary institution students in the Hohoe Municipality. Additionally, [ 33 , 34 ] demonstrated that at the individual level, knowledge about HIV transmission strongly predicts the uptake of HIV testing. It is evident that young people who have adequate knowledge about HIV are more likely to test for HIV [ 8 ]. The study revealed that a substantial proportion of the respondents had ever engaged in sexual intercourse whereas engaging in sexual activity before marriage is not condoned in the religious and cultural societies in Ghana. Similarly, [ 15 ] in their cross-sectional among urban youth in Ghana also found a little above half of the respondents engaging in sexual intercourse. Contrary to this finding, Ghana Statistical Service (GSS, 2019) revealed the prevalence of sexual activity among young people aged 15 to 24 in Ghana was 44.5% in 2019. Also, [ 3 ] reported a lower prevalence of engaging in sexual intercourse among young people in tertiary schools in Hohoe Municipality. The prevalence was even much lower in a study conducted by [ 27 ] among high school adolescents in Ethiopia. These variations in the current study and previous studies can be associated to the difference in the study settings as this study was a community study while others were institutional. The evidence of this current study suggests that engaging in sexual intercourse in Hohoe Municipality among young people is alarming and the need to intensify measures to promote a healthy sexual life among young people. Early sexual initiation (sexual debut before the age of 15) was found low. In respect of this finding, [ 15 ] found a much lower prevalence. In contrast, [ 30 ] revealed that majority of the respondents initiated sex early. This then informs about the risk of teenage pregnancy and its associated consequences, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV among young people. Multiple sexual partnership was reported low. This finding is similar to previous studies where majority of respondents indicated having had only one sexual partner [ 8 , 15 , 27 ]. We also found low prevalence of condom usage. Similarly, studies by [ 15 ] and [ 6 ] revealed that majority of the Ghanaian respondents did not use condom during their last sexual activity. Moreover, [ 27 ] also reported similar results in their study in Ethiopia. This means that young people in Hohoe Municipality who engaged in sexual intercourse do not always use condoms. This puts them at risk of contracting sexual transmitted infections including HIV. Risky sexual behaviour was low according to the results of the study. Similarly, [ 27 ] also reported similar results in their study in Ethiopia. Also, [ 15 ] revealed low prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among young people in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Young people who engage in risky sexual behaviours are predisposed to HIV infections. Marital status emerges as a significant factor influencing risky sexual behaviour, with married individuals exhibiting a lower likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviours compared to their single counterparts. This finding is consistent with previous research indicating the protective effect of marriage on sexual risk-taking [ 35 ] Also, [ 32 ] also found similar results in their study. Stable and committed relationships within marriage may foster a sense of responsibility and promote safer sexual practices. Currently living with a spouse or significant other was found to be a risk factor for engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The respondents who live with spouse or significant other were more likely to have engaged in risky sexual behaviour compared with the respondents who live alone. This finding underscores the importance of addressing relationship dynamics and communication within couples to promote mutual understanding and adoption of safer sexual [ 36 ]. This is consistent with a study by [ 32 ] in Nigeria. Interventions focusing on enhancing relationship quality and promoting open communication about sexual health issues may help mitigate the risk of engaging in risky sexual behaviours within intimate partnerships. Furthermore, educational level was identified as a protective factor against risky sexual behaviour, particularly among individuals with secondary school (SHS) education. This is consistent with a study by [ 32 ] on Risky Sexual Behaviour among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Nigeria which revealed that levels of education are associated with increased knowledge about sexual health and greater awareness of the risks associated with unsafe sexual practices [ 36 ]. Educational interventions targeting vulnerable populations with lower educational levels may prove beneficial in promoting safer sexual behaviours and reducing the prevalence of risky sexual practices. History of STI testing apart from HIV is identified as a risk factor for engaging in risky sexual behaviour. This finding underscores the importance of comprehensive sexual health education and access to STI testing and prevention services [ 37 ]. Individuals who have been tested for STIs may perceive themselves to be at lower risk or may engage in risk compensation behaviour, leading to an increased likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviours. Limitations The study faced a significant language barrier, necessitating interpreters to communicate its objectives in several households before proceeding. Nevertheless, researchers fluent in Ewe and Twi were recruited. The study was on based self-reporting by young people who could have provided socially desirable responses regarding the issue of HIV testing and sexual practices. Notwithstanding this, the anonymity of the questionnaire and the assurance of confidentiality might have encouraged young people to be honest in answering the questions. Despite all of these limitations, this study will be a reasonable source of information for researchers and policymakers. Conclusion The study provides valuable insights into the sexual behaviours and HIV testing practices among young people in the Hohoe Municipality, revealing trends that differ from national patterns in Ghana. Most young people in this region do not engage in risky sexual behaviours, with many having only one sexual partner and initiating sexual activity between the ages of 15 and 19. However, inconsistent condom use remains a concern, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. The study also highlights the low rate of HIV testing, particularly among males, which raises concerns about undetected HIV cases and its potential impact on public health. Factors influencing risky sexual behaviours include early marriage, which acts as a protective factor, while higher education and living with a spouse are associated with higher risk. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing socio-demographic factors in sexual health interventions and increasing access to HIV testing services to reduce transmission rates and achieve public health goals. To improve HIV testing and sexual health outcomes among young people, the study recommends targeted interventions from stakeholders like the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ministry of Health, and NGOs. These should include promoting formal education, increasing the availability of testing services through mobile clinics and outreach programs, and implementing awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage regular testing. Additionally, enhancing comprehensive sexuality education through collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Education, parents, and community leaders is critical in providing young people with accurate sexual health information. Healthcare workers must also be sensitized to adopt supportive and non-judgmental attitudes towards young people seeking sexual health services. Further research is recommended to explore other factors influencing risky sexual behaviours and HIV testing, with a mixed-methods approach to improve the generalizability of the findings. Abbreviations AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention GAC Ghana AIDS Commission GCP Good Clinical Practice GHS Ghana Health Service GSS Ghana Statistical Service HIV Human Immuno-deficiency Virus JHS Junior High School REC Research Ethics Committee SHS Senior High School SSA Sub-Saharan Africa STIs Sexually Transmitted Infections UN United Nations UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Education Fund WHO World Health Organisation Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate. A written approval for the study was obtained from the University of Health and Allied Sciences Research Ethics Committee (UHAS-REC A.2 [8] 23-24) before the commencement of the study. The study was conducted in accordance with the accepted principles of Ethics in Human Experimentation and Good clinical practice (GCP) and compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. Permission and approval was obtained from the Hohoe Municipal Assembly. Informed consent was obtained from young people within 18 and 24 years and informed parental consent and child assent were obtained from parents and respondents respectively, for those within 15 and 17 years. Consent for publication Not applicable. Availability of data and materials The dataset used for this study is available from the corresponding author based on reasonable request since this study is a master’s dissertation. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Funding There was no funding for this study Authors' contributions ALJ: Conceptualization, formal analysis, reviewing, editing and writing of original draft. HA: Supervision, reviewing and editing. DKO : Reviewing, editing and writing of original draft. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgements Not applicable. Authors' information (optional) References The path that ends AIDS. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6220355","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":451688142,"identity":"dd92fa38-e0ce-4d8a-88ee-cd701c76b51e","order_by":0,"name":"Augustine Liborjal Jawol","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"University of Health and Allied Sciences","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Augustine","middleName":"Liborjal","lastName":"Jawol","suffix":""},{"id":451688144,"identity":"9f5a14a6-6753-4305-95e1-56b06046e087","order_by":1,"name":"Doris Koryo Ohipeni","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Health and Allied Sciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Doris","middleName":"Koryo","lastName":"Ohipeni","suffix":""},{"id":451688146,"identity":"937c26b9-dca4-4dec-a488-aae75faf62d3","order_by":2,"name":"Hubert Amu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Health and Allied Sciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hubert","middleName":"","lastName":"Amu","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-03-13 13:08:27","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6220355/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6220355/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":82326355,"identity":"24fc8219-b6b1-4535-a820-24f51056afa8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-09 06:20:41","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":20571,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 4.1: Risky Sexual behaviour of young people in Hohoe Municipality\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6220355/v1/f8a8a6055a8b83764a0f3f1f.png"},{"id":90888074,"identity":"bff685d9-0298-4dd2-b38c-64df68a787cf","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-09 10:24:06","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2529402,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6220355/v1/d0ffeb74-81fd-4df2-870f-66619dc2fe34.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"HIV Testing and Sexual Practices of Young People in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThere has been a 38% decrease in new HIV infections globally due to progress made in addressing the burden of Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) since 2010 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Despite this tremendous advancement, Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) account for a greater proportion of people living with HIV globally [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. In 2021, Eastern and Southern Africa had 53% of the HIV burden in the world [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Thirty percent of HIV-positive individuals were young people aged 15\u0026ndash;24 years old [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Just 10% of men and 15% of women in this age range (15\u0026ndash;24) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are aware of their HIV status [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Infancy (due to mother-to-child transmission) and adolescence (due to their sexual practices and gender differences) are the two periods in a young person's life when they are exposed to HIV [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. HIV prevention has been a challenge in this age group due to problems with social norms and vulnerability, highly risky sexual behaviours, policy barriers, poor care-seeking behaviours, and access to services [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. The coverage of HIV testing within this age group remains low for some of these problems. The teenage years and the beginning of adulthood are a time of change, development, adventure, and opportunity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Young people have a surge in sex-related interest throughout this stage of life, which is frequently linked to an increase in risk-taking, which increases their risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like HIV [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYoung people are individuals between the ages of 10 and 24 but can also be referred to as people between the ages of 15 and 24 depending on the context [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the median age of sexual debut ranges between 15\u0026ndash;18 years [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. It is, therefore, not surprising that sexual intercourse has become the most predominant mode of transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for approximately 90% of all HIV infections [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe lifestyles of young people in Ghana are placing them at risk of contracting HIV [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Ghana recorded 542,131 pregnancies between 2016 and 2020 among young people (15\u0026ndash;24 years) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. This means that these young people are predisposed to HIV infection and potentially transmit it to their partners. HIV testing is a confidential counseling process that allows a person to make an informed decision about learning about their HIV status and obtaining recommendations [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. HIV testing is well-recognized as a necessary tool for HIV prevention and treatment [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. It is, however, not optimal in Ghana [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. About 71% of the people living with HIV in Ghana, for instance, know their status [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. This suggests that the remaining 29% of the people living with HIV still do not know their status and may be actively transmitting it and delaying the management process. Young people are seen to be in the category of higher risk of contracting HIV infections and here is the case they do not know their HIV status [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompared to Ghana's national HIV prevalence of 1.7 percent, Hohoe Municipality's HIV prevalence is higher at 3.4% according to the Ghana HIV sentinel survey (2018) despite various interventions implemented help curb this menace. In the municipality, neither the public nor the university students that visit the Municipality are aware of HIV testing and counseling uptake or the variables that are driving the testing [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. This poses a challenge to the ability of the Municipality in contributing to the attainment of the agenda 95-95-95 set by UNAIDS and adopted by the Ghana AIDS Commission, which seeks to have 95 percent of persons living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of persons who know their status are put on antiretroviral therapy and 95 percent of persons on treatment have their viral load suppressed by 2025.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailable literature used secondary data [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e] and also focused on the national level. In the Hohoe Municipality, a study conducted focused on tertiary education students [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. There is, therefore, a paucity of literature on the topic at the community level and using primary data. We, thus sought to investigate HIV testing and sexual practices of young people in the Hohoe Municipality and the factors that predict these outcomes. Findings from this study could inform policy makers and implementers on sexual health and HIV policies and programmes needed to further increase HIV testing among young people in Ghana and beyond.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and Method","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy setting\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Hohoe Municipality is one of the 18 administrative districts/municipalities in the Volta region of Ghana. The Municipality has a total land surface area of 1,172 km square and it shares boundary with Togo on the East, Afadzato District on the southeast, Kpando Municipal on southwest with and the North West with Biakoye district. The Hohoe Municipality is divided into five sub-municipality namely, Hohoe-sub, Likpe, Gbi-rural, Agumatsa and Alavanyo.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHohoe has a Regional Hospital offering tertiary services and serves as a major referral centre for the other Health Centres which are located at vantage points serving the rural population with primary health care. All the health centers provide HIV testing services. The health facilities provide two type of tests which are the Oral quick and RDT. The third type of tests which is microscopic is only done at the Regional Hospital as confirmation test. Health is an important sector of the Municipal\u0026rsquo;s Social Services delivery system. HIV prevalence rate in the Hohoe Municipality averaged 3.4 percent in 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2018. In 2020, the prevalence rate was 1.8 percent. The lowest prevalence rate over the period 2009\u0026ndash;2020 was 1.0 percent in 2015 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy design\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study employed a community-based cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and predictors of HIV testing and sexual practices of young people in the Hohoe municipality, Ghana.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy population\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung people between the ages of 15 and 24 who regularly dwell in the communities within the Hohoe Municipality for a minimum of 12 months were included in the study population. The 12-month residency requirement in the chosen areas was put into place to make sure that participants had established a somewhat solid living arrangement, health seeking arrangement and expressing their sexual habits within the Hohoe Municipality. The study excluded young people (15\u0026ndash;24 years) who reside in Hohoe Municipality for 12 months or more but had significant medical illnesses or comorbidities, mental disorders or cognitive impairments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSampling\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample size for this study was calculated using Cochran\u0026rsquo;s formula (\u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:\\frac{{(\\mathbf{Z}\\:\\varvec{\\alpha\\:}/2)}^{2}\\times\\:\\mathbf{P}(1-\\mathbf{P})}{{\\mathbf{d}}^{2}}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e), a prevalence of 45.5% for HIV testing among young people based on [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] with a 95% confidence level (Z α/2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.96) and 5% absolute precision (d\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:\\text{n}=\\frac{{\\left(1.96\\right)}^{2}\\times\\:0.455(1-0.455)}{{0.05}^{2}}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Equb\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equb\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:\\text{n}=\\frac{\\left(3.8416\\right)\\times\\:0.455\\left(0.545\\right)}{0.0025}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;381\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe formula yielded a minimum sample size of 381. Adjusting for a 10% non-response rate, the sample size was 419. However, 423 participants were recruited into the study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA multistage sampling technique was employed to select four sub-municipalities, ten communities, and 423 participants from the Hohoe Municipality. In the first stage, all five sub-municipalities (Alavanyo, Agumatsa, Gbi-rural and Hohoe-sub) were all selected as the initial sampling units to ensure representation from all relevant areas. Following this, a simple random selection technique was used to choose communities. A comprehensive list of communities within each sub-municipality was created, and two communities were randomly selected from each using a random number generator (Microsoft Excel). This approach ensured unbiased representation, providing equal chances of selection for all communities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin the chosen communities, households were selected using simple random sampling. Starting from the center of each community, a random direction was chosen by spinning a pen, and the first household in that direction was visited for data collection. After each household, the next one facing the entrance of the previous household was selected. If the end of the direction was reached, the data collector returned to the community center and repeated the process until the required sample size was reached, avoiding surveyed households. In cases with more than one eligible respondent in a household, a ballot system was used, where only those selecting a 'YES' ballot participated in the survey.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVariables\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eOutcome Variables\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eHIV testing and risky sexual behaviour were the main outcome variables of this study. HIV testing was measured with single question; \u0026ldquo;Have you ever been tested for HIV?\u0026rdquo; This was coded as Yes\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1 and No\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe respondents were considered to have engaged in risky sexual behaviour when, they have multiple sexual partners (having more than one sexual partner), sexual debut at the age\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;16 years old (age at first sex) and inconsistent (sometimes/never) use of condom (frequency of condom usage). The variable, 'risky sexual behaviour', was dichotomized as a binary response with 1 representing \u0026ldquo;Yes\u0026rdquo; if the study participants practiced any of the above behaviours and 0 representing \u0026ldquo;No\u0026rdquo; if respondents did not engage in any of the above behaviours. Risky sexual behaviour questions were adapted from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS2017/18), Survey findings report [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExplanatory variables\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThirteen explanatory variables and four explanatory variables were adopted to measure HIV testing and risky sexual behaviour respectfully. HIV testing was measured using: socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, religion, educational level, residency type, marital status, occupation, currently live with, presence of father during early age and presence of mother during early age), \u0026lsquo;I believe it is important to get tested for HIV\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;I feel comfortable discussing HIV testing with healthcare providers\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;I am knowledgeable about where to access HIV testing services in Hohoe\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;fear of positive test results\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;fear of stigma and discrimination associated with HIV\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;knowledge about HIV and its transmission\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;I trust HIV testing service providers\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;social norms and cultural beliefs about HIV and testing\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;availability and accessibility of HIV testing services\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;emotional impact experienced by those who test positive for HIV\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;perceived risk of HIV infection\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1 and \u0026lsquo;I engaged in risky sexual behaviour\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlso, the explanatory variables influencing risky sexual behaviours of young people was measured using: socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, religion, educational level, residency type, marital status, occupation, currently live with, presence of father during early age and presence of mother during early age), \u0026lsquo;family and cultural values influence my sexual practices\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1, \u0026lsquo;peer pressure affects my sexual decision-making\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1 and \u0026lsquo;lack of access to sexual health information hinders safer sexual practices\u0026rsquo; which was recoded as Strongly agree/agree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0 and neutral/disagree/strongly disagree\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1. All these variables and their measurement were adopted from Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS2017/18), Survey findings report [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese variables have been added because of previous studies which have found them as significant predictors of the outcomes [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData collection\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData collection was done from 28th February to 15th April, 2024 using a semi-structured questionnaire with the aid of Kobo Toolbox. The questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and personality traits among young people. The questionnaire was developed based on the objectives of the study. It had six sections. Section A was based on the background characteristics which consisted of age, sex, religion, ethnicity, living arrangements, level of education and marital status. Sections B was based on sexual practices of participants. Issues in this section included ever had sexual intercourse and number of times one may have had sexual intercourse. Others included current relationship status, age of partner at sexual debut and use of contraception during most recent sexual intercourse. Section C was based on level of HIV testing. Section D focused on the factors influencing HIV testing among the respondents. Section E focused on factors influencing risky sexual behaviour of young people. Issues included attitude of health care providers, privacy and confidentiality. While some questions were close-ended, others were open-ended. Responses of participants to the open-ended questions were, however, categorized to make them close-ended for analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll the smartphones for data collection were encrypted and protected with a password and this ensured the confidentiality of the participant\u0026rsquo;s biodata. Furthermore, data management, storage, analysis and reporting were done using codes so as not to expose the details of the respondents to ensure anonymity. Data was cleaned to prevent duplicate and errors to ensure validity and quality.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData collected were extracted from the kobo toolbox in csv format and cleaned to ensure data quality and accuracy. Analysis was done using the STATA version 17.0. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and proportions were done on categorical variables which was presented in charts and tables. Inferential statistics such as chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to determine the association between explanatory and the outcome variables. All the explanatory variables were included in the bivariate logistic regression analyses. All the variables that showed significant association at p-value\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 with the outcome variables were then included in the multivariable models.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocio-demographic characteristics of young people in the Hohoe municipality.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e presents the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. In total, 423 young people participated in the study. The majority of the respondents (71.2%) were between the ages of 20 and 24 years. Females were slightly higher (51.1%) than their male counterpart. Majority (43.7%) live with their parent(s) or guardian(s) (see Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ctable id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSocio-demographic characteristics of study participants.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequency (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;423)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge group (In completed years)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u0026ndash;19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e122\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e301\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e216\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e207\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e48.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrently live with\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI live alone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSiblings/relatives\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParents/guardian\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e194\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSpouse/Significant others\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresence of Father during early age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e343\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresence of Mother during early age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e374\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e88.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarital status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e383\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e90.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEducational level\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJHS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e103\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSHS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e154\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTertiary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e123\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOccupation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFarmer\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTrader\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStudent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e237\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnemployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReligion\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eChristianity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e360\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIslam\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfrican Traditional Religion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eHIV testing among young people in Hohoe Municipality\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eApproximately 20 percent (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;85) of the respondents reported ever been tested for HIV. Among those tested, the majority (56.5%, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;48) had undergone testing once in their life-time, while 21.2% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18) had been tested twice. Government hospitals/clinics (70.6%, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;60) were the most common testing facilities (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSexual practices of young people in Hohoe Municipality\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTable \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e presents the sexual practices of the respondents. Fifty-five percent (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;233) of the respondents had ever had sexual intercourse, of which majority (62.7%, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;146) had their sexual debut between 15 and 19 years. About 17.2 percent (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;40) ever had sexual intercourse under the influence of drugs or alcohol (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ctable id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSexual practices of respondents\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEver had sexual intercourse (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;423)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e190\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e233\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge at first sexual intercourse\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u0026ndash;14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u0026ndash;19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e146\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Sexual partners since birth\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e154\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u0026ndash;3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6+\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Sexual partners in the last 12 months\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e212\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e91.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u0026ndash;3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6+\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Current sexual partners\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e219\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e94.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u0026ndash;3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u0026ndash;5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6+\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEver had sexual intercourse while on drugs or alcohol\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e172\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCan\u0026rsquo;t remember\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEver been pregnant or impregnated someone\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e153\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecision about pregnancy (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;80)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKept the baby\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e48\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e60.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAbortion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContraceptive used during last sexual intercourse*\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCondom\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e103\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBirth control pill\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWithdrawal method\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOther barrier method\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreferred contraceptive*\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCondom\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBirth control pill\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWithdrawal method\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRhythm method\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOther barrier method\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency of condom usage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAlways\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSometimes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e53.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003ctfoot\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\"\u003e*Multiple responses\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tfoot\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOverall, risky sexual behaviour among the respondents was seen to be low (35.7%, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;151) among the respondents (Fig. 1).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ctable border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHIV testing among participants\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTested for HIV (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;423)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e338\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e79.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of times tested for HIV (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;85)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOnce\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e48\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwice\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThrice or more\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlace last tested (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;85)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGovernment Hospital/Clinic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePrivate Hospital/clinic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI tested my self\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOthers (school, church, screening programs)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReason for HIV test*(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;85)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eConcern about potential exposure\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMedical check-up\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e52\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePartner\u0026rsquo;s request\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePregnancy\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSymptoms of illness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOther\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTested for HIV with partner (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;85)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReason not testing for HIV* (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;338)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI am not at risk\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e101\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHave not had sex before\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI protect myself always\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfraid to know my status\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOthers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInterested in getting tested (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;338)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e257\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerson to disclose status to if tested positive of HIV*\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo one\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e89\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParents\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e243\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e57.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOther relatives\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFriends\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePartner\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e122\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReligious leader\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHealth worker\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e52\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOther\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003ctfoot\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\"\u003e*Multiple responses\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tfoot\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eFactors associated with HIV testing of young people in Hohoe Municipality\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male respondents were 62 percent (aOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.38, 95% CI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.20\u0026ndash;0.74, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.004) less likely to test for HIV compared to the female. The respondents who reported their educational level as JHS were 89 percent (aOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.11, 95% CI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.02\u0026ndash;0.53, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.006) less likely to test for HIV compared to the respondents who reported none for educational level. Also, respondents who had ever tested for STI apart from HIV were about 5 times (aOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.14, 95% CI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.59\u0026ndash;10.17, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) more likely to have been tested for HIV compared to the respondents who had never tested for STI (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ctable id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\" style=\"margin-right: calc(0%); width: 100%;\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLogistic regression analysis of factors associated with HIV testing among young people in Hohoe Municipality\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEver tested for HIV (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;85, 20.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ecOR (95% CI), p-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eaOR (95% CI), p-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u0026ndash;19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17 (13.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68 (22.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.80 (1.01\u0026ndash;3.22), 0.046\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.87 (0.40\u0026ndash;1.89), 0.725\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e58 (26.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27 (13.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.41 (0.25\u0026ndash;0.68), \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.38 (0.20\u0026ndash;0.74), 0.004\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrently live with\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI live alone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 (23.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSiblings/relatives\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 (10.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.36 (0.16\u0026ndash;0.78), 0.009\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.79 (0.31\u0026ndash;2.06), 0.634\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParent(s)/Guardian(s)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35 (18.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.75 (0.40\u0026ndash;1.39), 0.358\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.08 (0.50\u0026ndash;2.35), 0.837\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSpouse/Significant others\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (52.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.6 (1.55\u0026ndash;8.34), 0.003\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.57 (0.66\u0026ndash;19.26), 0.139\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresence of Father during early age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (22.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67 (19.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.84 (0.46\u0026ndash;1.51), 0.55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresence of Father during early age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (14.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78 (20.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.58 (0.68\u0026ndash;3.66), 0.28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarital status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65 (17.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 (50.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.89 (2.25\u0026ndash;9.61), \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.56 (0.53\u0026ndash;12.35), 0.241\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEducational level\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" style=\"width: 20.2844%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (41.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9 (34.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.76 (0.21\u0026ndash;2.66), 0.664\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.59 (0.11\u0026ndash;3.12), 0.536\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJHS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16 (15.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.26 (0.09\u0026ndash;0.79), 0.018\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.11 (0.02\u0026ndash;0.53), 0.006\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSHS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29 (18.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.33 (0.12\u0026ndash;0.94), 0.039\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.25 (0.06\u0026ndash;1.12), 0.070\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTertiary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24 (19.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.35 (0.12-1.00), 0.051\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.26 (0.05\u0026ndash;1.131), 0.104\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOccupation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFarmer\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11 (26.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTrader\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21 (30.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.19 (0.50\u0026ndash;2.82), 0.687\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.18 (0.67\u0026ndash;7.11), 0.196\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStudent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31 (13.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.41 (0.19\u0026ndash;0.90), 0.027\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.95 (0.29\u0026ndash;3.11), 0.933\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnemployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22 (29.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.11 (0.47\u0026ndash;2.60), 0.808\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.13 (0.34\u0026ndash;3.73), 0.843\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReligion\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eChristianity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73 (20.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIslam\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (15.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.70 (0.32\u0026ndash;1.54), 0.38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfrican traditional religion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (40.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.62 (0.72\u0026ndash;9.53), 0.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEver received CSE\u003c/strong\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22 (13.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e63 (24.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.13 (1.25\u0026ndash;3.62), 0.005\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 9.8026%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.77 (0.78-4.00), 0.170\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEver tested for STI\u003c/strong\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eapart from HIV\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39 (12.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e46 (47.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.64 (3.94\u0026ndash;11.17), \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.14 (2.59\u0026ndash;10.17), \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEver diagnosed of STI\u003c/strong\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eapart from HIV\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70 (18.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15 (41.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.23 (1.59\u0026ndash;6.59), 0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.31 (0.48\u0026ndash;3.59), 0.602\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBelieve it is important to get tested\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81 (21.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (10.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.43 (0.15\u0026ndash;1.24), 0.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComfortable discussing HIV testing with health worker\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67 (23.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (13.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.50 (0.28\u0026ndash;0.88), 0.017\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.37 (0.17\u0026ndash;0.78), 0.009\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnowledge of accessing testing services\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68 (27.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17 (10.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.27 (0.16\u0026ndash;0.49), \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.37 (0.17\u0026ndash;0.80), 0.012\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfraid of positive results\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61 (26.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24 (12.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.41 (0.25\u0026ndash;0.69), 0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.52 (0.26\u0026ndash;1.04), 0.063\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFear of stigmatization if tested positive\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64 (23.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21 (14.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.56 (0.33\u0026ndash;0.96), 0.035\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.64 (0.31\u0026ndash;1.30), 0.215\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInadequate knowledge about HIV transmission\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (10.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67 (26.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.12 (1.77\u0026ndash;5.47), \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.25 (1.10\u0026ndash;4.57), 0.025\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo not trust HIV testing providers\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28 (19.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e57 (20.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.02 (0.62\u0026ndash;1.70), 0.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCulture as a barrier to HIV testing\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (14.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77 (20.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.55 (0.71\u0026ndash;3.42), 0.27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEmotional impact of positive result\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34 (21.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51 (19.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.91 (0.56\u0026ndash;1.49), 0.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt risk of contracting HIV\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26 (21.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 27.4009%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 16.5949%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e59 (19.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.0409%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.91 (0.54\u0026ndash;1.53), 0.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" style=\"width: 12.1181%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003ctfoot\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"5\" style=\"width: 68.1549%;\"\u003e*Multiple responses; \u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e = comprehensive sexuality education; \u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e = sexually transmitted infection; cOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;crude or unadjusted odd ratio; aOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;adjusted odd ratio; CI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;confidence interval\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tfoot\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eFactors associated with risky sexual behaviour of young people in Hohoe Municipality\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe logistic regression analysis showed that respondents who currently live with spouse or significant others were about 3 times (aOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.10, 95% CI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.20\u0026ndash;7.96, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01) more likely to had engaged in risky sexual practices compared to those who lived alone. Furthermore, respondents who were married were 54 percent (aOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.46, 95% CI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.23\u0026ndash;0.93, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.032) less likely to had engaged in risky sexual practices compared to single respondents (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ctable id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLogistic regression analysis of factors associated with risky sexual behaviour among participants\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRisky sexual behaviour (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;151, 35.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ecOR (95% CI), p-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eaOR (95% CI), p-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u0026ndash;19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41 (33.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e110 (36.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.14 (0.73\u0026ndash;1.77), 0.57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86 (39.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65 (31.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.69 (0.46\u0026ndash;1.03), 0.07\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrently live with\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI live alone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33 (39.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSiblings/relatives\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38 (31.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.72 (0.30\u0026ndash;1.28), 0.262\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.84 (0.44\u0026ndash;1.58), 0.588\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParent(s)/Guardian(s)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56 (30.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.67 (0.39\u0026ndash;1.15), 0.146\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.74 (0.42\u0026ndash;1.32), 0.305\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSpouse/Significant others\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24 (70.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.71 (1.57\u0026ndash;8.75), 0.003\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.10 (1.20\u0026ndash;7.96), 0.019\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresence of Father during early age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32 (40.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e119 (34.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.80 (0.48\u0026ndash;1.31), 0.373\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresence of Mother during early age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26 (53.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e125 (33.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.44 (0.24\u0026ndash;0.81), 0.008\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.25 (0.68\u0026ndash;2.28), 0.476\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarital status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e120 (31.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31 (77.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.55 (3.49\u0026ndash;16.35), \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.46 (0.23\u0026ndash;0.93), 0.032\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEducational level\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 (58.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (69.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.58 (0.44\u0026ndash;5.64), 0.485\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.41 (0.35\u0026ndash;5.61), 0.629\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJHS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36 (35.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.38 (0.13\u0026ndash;1.07), 0.067\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.422 (0.14\u0026ndash;1.28), 0.129\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSHS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41 (26.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.25 (0.09\u0026ndash;0.71), 0.009\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.32 (0.11\u0026ndash;0.95), 0.040\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTertiary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e46 937.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.41 (0.15\u0026ndash;1.17), 0.098\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.53 (0.18\u0026ndash;1.59), 0.258\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOccupation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFarmer\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (43.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTrader\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28 (40.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.87 (0.40\u0026ndash;1.91), 0.733\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStudent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72 (30.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.56 (0.28\u0026ndash;1.10), 0.090\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnemployed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33 (43.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.98 (0.46\u0026ndash;2.11), 0.960\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReligion\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eChristianity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e125 (34.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIslam\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23 (43.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.44 (0.80\u0026ndash;2.58), 0.221\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfrican traditional religion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (30.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.81 (0.20\u0026ndash;3.17), 0.757\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEver tested for STI\u003c/strong\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eapart from HIV\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e101 (31.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50 (51.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.37 (1.49\u0026ndash;3.76), \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.90 (1.09\u0026ndash;3.30), 0.024\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEver diagnosed of STI\u003c/strong\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eapart from HIV\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e129 (33.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22 (61.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.14 (1.56\u0026ndash;6.35), 0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.98 (0.86\u0026ndash;4.55), 0.108\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily and cultural values influence my sexual practices\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71 (33.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80 (38.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.27 (0.85\u0026ndash;1.89), 0.244\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeer pressure affect my sexual decision-making\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76 (42.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75 (31.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.62 (0.42\u0026ndash;0.9), 0.020\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.63 (0.40\u0026ndash;1.01), 0.053\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLack of access to sexual health information hinders safer sexual practices\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e107 (35.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44 (36.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.06 (0.68\u0026ndash;1.64), 0.793\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedia affects my sexual decision-making\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80 (41.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71 (31.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.64 (0.43\u0026ndash;0.96), 0.029\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.85 (0.54\u0026ndash;1.35), 0.495\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe prevalence of HIV testing was 20.1% among young people. This suggest that many young people in the Hohoe Municipality do not access the HIV testing services in the Municipality. Comparatively low rates of HIV testing among young people have been reported in various countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Kumasi Metropolitan, Ghana [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR19 CR20\" citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. The percentage of young people who went for HIV testing was 21.6% in Kenya [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e], 26% in Ethiopia [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e], 18% in South Africa [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e] and 21.6% in Kumasi Metropolitan, Ghana, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. A study conducted by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e] among tertiary institution students in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana, revealed that 30.6% of respondents had ever tested for HIV/AIDS, slightly higher than the prevalence found in the current study. This difference could be attributed to variations in the study populations, particularly in terms of educational level.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the prevalence of HIV testing differed significantly between age groups, with respondents aged 20\u0026ndash;24 years exhibiting a higher prevalence compared to those aged 15\u0026ndash;19 years. Similar findings were reported by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] indicating that young adults aged 20\u0026ndash;24 years are more likely to undergo HIV testing compared to adolescents aged 15\u0026ndash;19 years. Barriers faced by adolescents in accessing healthcare services, such as judgmental attitudes of health providers, lack of privacy and confidentiality, financial constraints, and inadequate information about testing centers, may contribute to the lower testing rates among this age group [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results of this study indicate that several factors influence HIV testing among young people in the Hohoe Municipality. Specifically, sex, educational level, history of STI testing apart from HIV, comfort discussing HIV testing with a health provider, knowledge of accessing testing services, and inadequate knowledge about HIV transmission were identified as significant factors.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study findings revealed that females were more likely to have undergone HIV testing compared to their male counterparts. This finding is consistent with research conducted by UNAIDS in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which reported that only 24% of young women and 20% of young men aged 15\u0026ndash;24 had been tested for HIV [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Similarly, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e] found in a study on risky sexual behaviours and HIV testing among young people in Ghana that 32% of young women and 13% of young men had tested for HIV. The lower level of HIV testing among males can be attributed to differences in healthcare-seeking behaviour, with females generally being more likely to access healthcare than males [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, HIV counselling and testing services are integrated into antenatal care as part of measures to reduce mother-to-child transmission in Ghana [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. Some females in the current study may have accessed antenatal care before the commencement of the study, contributing to the variations in HIV testing levels between females and males.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEducational attainment emerged as a significant predictor of HIV testing in this study. Surprisingly, respondents with Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) education were less likely to have undergone HIV testing compared to those with no formal education. This finding contradict studies conducted by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e] in Burundi, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e] in Nigeria, and [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e] in Ethiopia, which found that higher educational levels were associated with a higher likelihood of HIV testing. In Ghana, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e] reported that individuals with higher education were more inclined to undergo HIV testing compared to those with no formal education. This discrepancy may be attributed to the extensive HIV awareness campaigns led by the Ghana AIDS Commission and the increased accessibility of HIV testing services in communities, regardless of school availability.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdditionally, testing for STIs apart from HIV was observed as a factor influencing HIV testing. The respondents who had ever tested for any STI apart from HIV were more likely to have tested for HIV compared with the respondents who had never tested for any STI apart from HIV. This is in correlation with the findings of [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e] where young people who had history of ever testing for STIs were more likely to have tested for HIV. Young people who receive STI testing at hospitals or health facilities had the opportunity of being tested for HIV because STIs increase the risk of HIV transmission. This, therefore, allows for young people to opt to have an HIV test as part of their STI treatment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study also found that respondents who disagreed to \u0026lsquo;I feel comfortable discussing HIV testing with a health provider\u0026rsquo; were less likely to have tested for HIV compared to those who agreed. This finding aligns with a study by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e] in Ghana which highlighted the importance of provider-patient communication in influencing health-seeking behaviours, particularly in the context of HIV testing. Studies have shown that individuals who perceive healthcare providers as non-judgmental, supportive, and approachable are more likely to seek HIV testing and other sexual health services [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e]. This underscores the significant role of comfort levels in healthcare provider interactions on HIV testing behaviour. Feeling comfortable discussing HIV testing with healthcare providers is crucial for facilitating open and effective communication about sexual health and testing options.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding how to access testing services emerged as a significant factor influencing HIV testing behaviour among the respondents. Those who disagreed with the statement \u0026ldquo;I am knowledgeable about where to access testing services\u0026rdquo; were less likely to have undergone HIV testing compared to those who agreed. This finding is consistent with research conducted by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e] in Nigeria, which similarly identified that a lack of knowledge about where to access HIV services decreases the likelihood of HIV testing. Again, a study by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e] on Predictors of Utilisation of Voluntary Counselling and Testing of HIV among In-School Teenagers in Ife, Central Local Government Area, Nigeria also revealed similar results.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInadequate knowledge of HIV transmission emerged as a determinant of HIV testing behaviour among the respondents. Those who disagreed with the statement \u0026ldquo;I don\u0026rsquo;t have adequate knowledge about HIV transmission\u0026rdquo; were more likely to have undergone HIV testing compared to those who agreed with the statement. This finding aligns with research conducted by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e] in Ghana, which similarly identified that insufficient knowledge about HIV transmission reduces the likelihood of HIV testing among tertiary institution students in the Hohoe Municipality. Additionally, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e] demonstrated that at the individual level, knowledge about HIV transmission strongly predicts the uptake of HIV testing. It is evident that young people who have adequate knowledge about HIV are more likely to test for HIV [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study revealed that a substantial proportion of the respondents had ever engaged in sexual intercourse whereas engaging in sexual activity before marriage is not condoned in the religious and cultural societies in Ghana. Similarly, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] in their cross-sectional among urban youth in Ghana also found a little above half of the respondents engaging in sexual intercourse. Contrary to this finding, Ghana Statistical Service (GSS, 2019) revealed the prevalence of sexual activity among young people aged 15 to 24 in Ghana was 44.5% in 2019. Also, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e] reported a lower prevalence of engaging in sexual intercourse among young people in tertiary schools in Hohoe Municipality. The prevalence was even much lower in a study conducted by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e] among high school adolescents in Ethiopia. These variations in the current study and previous studies can be associated to the difference in the study settings as this study was a community study while others were institutional. The evidence of this current study suggests that engaging in sexual intercourse in Hohoe Municipality among young people is alarming and the need to intensify measures to promote a healthy sexual life among young people.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEarly sexual initiation (sexual debut before the age of 15) was found low. In respect of this finding, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] found a much lower prevalence. In contrast, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e] revealed that majority of the respondents initiated sex early. This then informs about the risk of teenage pregnancy and its associated consequences, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV among young people. Multiple sexual partnership was reported low. This finding is similar to previous studies where majority of respondents indicated having had only one sexual partner [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. We also found low prevalence of condom usage. Similarly, studies by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] and [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e] revealed that majority of the Ghanaian respondents did not use condom during their last sexual activity. Moreover, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e] also reported similar results in their study in Ethiopia. This means that young people in Hohoe Municipality who engaged in sexual intercourse do not always use condoms. This puts them at risk of contracting sexual transmitted infections including HIV.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRisky sexual behaviour was low according to the results of the study. Similarly, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e] also reported similar results in their study in Ethiopia. Also, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] revealed low prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among young people in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Young people who engage in risky sexual behaviours are predisposed to HIV infections.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarital status emerges as a significant factor influencing risky sexual behaviour, with married individuals exhibiting a lower likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviours compared to their single counterparts. This finding is consistent with previous research indicating the protective effect of marriage on sexual risk-taking [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e] Also, [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e] also found similar results in their study. Stable and committed relationships within marriage may foster a sense of responsibility and promote safer sexual practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCurrently living with a spouse or significant other was found to be a risk factor for engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The respondents who live with spouse or significant other were more likely to have engaged in risky sexual behaviour compared with the respondents who live alone. This finding underscores the importance of addressing relationship dynamics and communication within couples to promote mutual understanding and adoption of safer sexual [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. This is consistent with a study by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e] in Nigeria. Interventions focusing on enhancing relationship quality and promoting open communication about sexual health issues may help mitigate the risk of engaging in risky sexual behaviours within intimate partnerships.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, educational level was identified as a protective factor against risky sexual behaviour, particularly among individuals with secondary school (SHS) education. This is consistent with a study by [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e] on Risky Sexual Behaviour among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Nigeria which revealed that levels of education are associated with increased knowledge about sexual health and greater awareness of the risks associated with unsafe sexual practices [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. Educational interventions targeting vulnerable populations with lower educational levels may prove beneficial in promoting safer sexual behaviours and reducing the prevalence of risky sexual practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory of STI testing apart from HIV is identified as a risk factor for engaging in risky sexual behaviour. This finding underscores the importance of comprehensive sexual health education and access to STI testing and prevention services [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e]. Individuals who have been tested for STIs may perceive themselves to be at lower risk or may engage in risk compensation behaviour, leading to an increased likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviours.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLimitations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study faced a significant language barrier, necessitating interpreters to communicate its objectives in several households before proceeding. Nevertheless, researchers fluent in Ewe and Twi were recruited. The study was on based self-reporting by young people who could have provided socially desirable responses regarding the issue of HIV testing and sexual practices. Notwithstanding this, the anonymity of the questionnaire and the assurance of confidentiality might have encouraged young people to be honest in answering the questions. Despite all of these limitations, this study will be a reasonable source of information for researchers and policymakers.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe study provides valuable insights into the sexual behaviours and HIV testing practices among young people in the Hohoe Municipality, revealing trends that differ from national patterns in Ghana. Most young people in this region do not engage in risky sexual behaviours, with many having only one sexual partner and initiating sexual activity between the ages of 15 and 19. However, inconsistent condom use remains a concern, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. The study also highlights the low rate of HIV testing, particularly among males, which raises concerns about undetected HIV cases and its potential impact on public health. Factors influencing risky sexual behaviours include early marriage, which acts as a protective factor, while higher education and living with a spouse are associated with higher risk. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing socio-demographic factors in sexual health interventions and increasing access to HIV testing services to reduce transmission rates and achieve public health goals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo improve HIV testing and sexual health outcomes among young people, the study recommends targeted interventions from stakeholders like the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ministry of Health, and NGOs. These should include promoting formal education, increasing the availability of testing services through mobile clinics and outreach programs, and implementing awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage regular testing. Additionally, enhancing comprehensive sexuality education through collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Education, parents, and community leaders is critical in providing young people with accurate sexual health information. Healthcare workers must also be sensitized to adopt supportive and non-judgmental attitudes towards young people seeking sexual health services. Further research is recommended to explore other factors influencing risky sexual behaviours and HIV testing, with a mixed-methods approach to improve the generalizability of the findings.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cp\u003eAIDS\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCDC\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGAC \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Ghana AIDS Commission\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGCP\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Good Clinical Practice\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGHS \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Ghana Health Service\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGSS \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Ghana Statistical Service\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHIV\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Human Immuno-deficiency Virus\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJHS\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Junior High School\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eREC\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Research Ethics Committee\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSHS\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Senior High School\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSSA\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Sub-Saharan Africa\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSTIs\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Sexually Transmitted Infections\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUN\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;United Nations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUNAIDS\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUNFPA \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;United Nations Population Fund\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUNICEF\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;United Nations International Children’s Education Fund\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWHO \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; World Health Organisation\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA written approval for the study was obtained from the University of Health and Allied Sciences Research Ethics Committee (UHAS-REC A.2 [8] 23-24) before the commencement of the study. \u0026nbsp;The study was conducted in accordance with the accepted principles of Ethics in Human Experimentation and Good clinical practice (GCP) and compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. \u0026nbsp;Permission and approval was obtained from the Hohoe Municipal Assembly. Informed consent was obtained from young people within 18 and 24 years and informed parental consent and child assent were obtained from parents and respondents respectively, for those within 15 and 17 years.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dataset used for this study is available from the corresponding author based on reasonable request since this study is a master’s dissertation.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eFunding\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere was no funding for this study\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors' contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eALJ:\u003c/strong\u003e Conceptualization, formal analysis, reviewing, editing and writing of original draft. \u003cstrong\u003eHA:\u003c/strong\u003e Supervision, reviewing and editing.\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eDKO\u003c/strong\u003e: Reviewing, editing and writing of original draft. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthors' information (optional)\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe path that ends AIDS. UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2023. U P E; 2023.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganization WH, Fund UNC. Protect the progress: rise, refocus and recover: 2020 progress report on the Every Woman Every Child Global Strategy for Women\u0026rsquo;s, Children\u0026rsquo;s and Adolescents\u0026rsquo; Health (2016\u0026ndash;2030). World Health Organization; 2020. p. 92.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAgamlor E, Pencille L, Lutala P, Akoku DA, Tarkang E. 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Ghana J Sci. 2022;62(2):36\u0026ndash;43.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"HIV Testing, Sexual Practices, Young People","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6220355/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6220355/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground: \u003c/strong\u003eYoung people have a surge in sex-related interest throughout this stage of life which increases their risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). HIV Testing is a critical strategy to reduce the rate of new HIV infections and the key entry point to HIV treatment, care, and support services. We examined the prevalence and predictors of HIV testing and sexual practices among young people in the Hohoe Municipality.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods: \u003c/strong\u003eThis was a community-based cross-sectional study among 423 young people aged 15-24 years using a questionnaire administered with Kobo Toolbox. Descriptive and inferential statistics including chi-square and logistic regression models were adopted in analysing with STATA version 17.0. Statistical significance was set at p\u0026lt;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults\u003c/strong\u003e: The prevalence of HIV testing was 20.1%. Risky sexual behaviour was 35.7%. \u0026nbsp;Males (aOR=0.38, 95% CI=0.20–0.74, p=0.004), those who had JHS level of education (aOR=0.11, 95% CI=0.02–0.53, p=0.006), and who did not feel comfortable discussing HIV testing with health providers (aOR=0.37, 95% CI=0.17–0.78, p=0.009) had lower odds of testing for HIV. Conversely, those who tested for other STIs were more likely to test for HIV (aOR=5.14, 95% CI=2.59–10.17, p\u0026lt;0.001) than those who did not. Respondents living with their spouses or significant others (aOR=3.10, 95% CI=1.20-7.96, p=0.01) and those who were married (aOR=0.46, 95% CI=0.23, 0.93, p=0.032) had higher odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviour.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion: \u003c/strong\u003eThe prevalence of HIV testing was low and significantly influenced by sex, educational level, and history of STI testing apart from HIV, comfort discussing HIV testing with a health provider, knowledge of accessing testing services, and inadequate knowledge about HIV transmission predicted HIV testing. The low prevalence of HIV testing in the population poses a challenge to achieving Target 3.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target. We recommend targeted interventions to increase HIV testing among young people, focusing on educational programs, improved healthcare communication, and promotion of safe sex practices.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"HIV Testing and Sexual Practices of Young People in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-09 06:20:37","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6220355/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"accd2097-79a6-42ea-92b9-d4391df8f291","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 9th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-09-09T10:23:46+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-09 06:20:37","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6220355","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6220355","identity":"rs-6220355","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}