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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

HIV testing service awareness and service uptake among female heads of household in rural Mozambique: results from a province-wide survey

Authors: Heather N Paulin, Meridith Blevins, John R Koethe, Nicole Hinton, Lara ME Vaz, Alfredo E Vergara, Abraham Mukolo, Elisée Ndatimana, Troy D Moon, Sten H Vermund, C William Wester

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) utilization remains low in many sub-Saharan African countries, particularly in remote rural settings. We sought to identify factors associated with service awareness and service uptake of VCT among female heads of household in rural Zambézia Province of north-central Mozambique which is characterized by high HIV prevalence (12.6%), poverty, and suboptimal health service access and utilization.

Methods

Our population-based survey of female heads of household was administered to a representative two-stage cluster sample using a sampling frame created for use on all national surveys and based on census results. The data served as a baseline measure for the Ogumaniha project initiated in 2009. Survey domains included poverty, health, education, income, HIV stigma, health service access, and empowerment. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to describe service awareness and service uptake of VCT.

Results

Of 3708 women surveyed, 2546 (69%) were unaware of available VCT services. Among 1162 women who were aware of VCT, 673 (58%) reported no prior testing. In the VCT aware group, VCT awareness was associated with higher education (aOR = 2.88; 95% CI = 1.61, 5.16), higher income (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.86), higher numeracy (aOR = 1.05, CI 1.03, 1.08), more children < age 5 in the home (aOR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.18), closer proximity to a health facility (aOR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.07), and mobile phone ownership (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.84) (all p-values < 0.04). Having a higher HIV-associated stigma score was the factor most strongly associated with being less likely to test. (aOR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.23, 0.71; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Most women were unaware of available VCT services. Even women who were aware of services were unlikely to have been tested. Expanded VCT and social marketing of VCT are needed in rural Mozambique with special attention to issues of community-level stigma reduction.
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Metadata
Title
HIV testing service awareness and service uptake among female heads of household in rural Mozambique: results from a province-wide survey
Authors
Heather N Paulin
Meridith Blevins
John R Koethe
Nicole Hinton
Lara ME Vaz
Alfredo E Vergara
Abraham Mukolo
Elisée Ndatimana
Troy D Moon
Sten H Vermund
C William Wester
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1388-z

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