Determinant of HIV testing among adolescents in Ghana

Eugene K. M. Darteh, University of Cape Coast
Joshua Amo-Adjei, University of Cape Coast

This paper identifies factors which predispose young people (15–24 years) to seek HIV testing. Based on data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, logistic regression was used to indentify factors which influence young people’s decision to access HIV/AIDS testing. Results indicated that young females were more likely to test for their status compared to males, in spite of the higher predisposition of males to engage in risky sexual behaviour. There were also relatively different factors influencing the decision of males and females to consider HIV testing. For females, being married or cohabiting and exposure to radio emerged as the most important factors while with males, the main determinants were age and exposure to radio messages. Campaigns to promote HIV testing among young people should consider the factors which influence their decisions to undertake a test as testing will continue to be a major strategy for HIV prevention.