Prevalence and Factors Associated with HIV Testing Among Women in the Reproductive Age in Liberia: Cross Sectional Study from 2019/20 Demographic and Health Survey

Objective: This study explored HIV testing prevalence and its associated factors among reproductive-aged women in Liberia. Study Design: A secondary and descriptive cross-sectional study was performed among Liberian women aged 15-49 years using 2019 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS) data set. Methods: Descriptive statistics was used to describe the characteristics of these women. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to determine factors associated with HIV testing. All analyses were adjusted for unequal probabilities of selection and non-response by use of survey weights. Results: Among the 8,065 participants in this survey, 490 women never had sex and were excluded leading to the final sample size of 7,575 women. The prevalence of HIV testing among Liberian women aged 15 to 49 years in 2020 was 57.17% (95% CI: 56.2 to 60.4). HIV testing among these women is associated with pregnancy history (aOR 6.40, 95% CI:4.99 to 8.22, p< 0.001), STI history (aOR 1.21, 95% CI:1.02 to 3.19, p< 0.001), knowledge of vertical transmission (aOR 1.65, 95% CI:1.23 to 2.21, p=0.001), and highest educational level; primary (aOR 1.39, 95% CI:1.16 to 1.68, p< 0.001), secondary (aOR 2.10, 95% CI:1.73 to 2.53, p< 0.001), higher education (aOR 6.80, 95% CI:3.75 to 12.32, p< 0.001). Conclusion and Contribution: HIV testing prevalence of 57.17% demonstrates an unmet need for HIV testing among Liberian women aged 15 to 49 years and thus, it is recommended that HIV testing and counselling services should target mostly these women in rural areas, with limited health seeking behaviour and less educated women.