HIV screening in men and women in Senegal: coverage and associated factors; analysis of the 2017 demographic and health survey

Background Despite the adoption of the provider-initiated HIV testing strategy, the rate of HIV testing is still very low in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with HIV testing among sexually active women and men in Senegal. Knowledge of HIV status is the gateway to antiretroviral treatment. Methods A secondary analysis of the 2017 Senegal Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) was performed, using data on sexually active women aged 15-49 and men aged 15-59. The outcome variable was the proportion of women and men who reported ever being tested for HIV in the last 12 months before the survey. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the socio-demographic, HIV-knowledge, media exposure, and behavioral factors associated with HIV testing in Senegal. Results The study found that 61.1% (95%CI: 59.2-62.9) of women and 26.2% (95%CI: 24.2-28.3) of men were tested for HIV at the last 12 months. In multivariate analysis, among men the factors independently associated with being tested for HIV were: age groups 20-24 to 40-44 and age group 50-54; a higher level of education; being in the richest household wealth quintile; being married; knowing about the efficacy of HAART during pregnancy; having 2 or more lifetime sex partners and owning a mobile phone. Among women factors independently associated with HIV testing were: being in any age groups versus 15-19; a higher level of education; being in the richest household wealth quintile; being married; knowing about the efficacy of HAART during pregnancy; having any STI in last 12 months; fearing stigma; owning a mobile phone; and having any number of ANC visits, versus none. Conclusion Although HIV remains a public health threat, HIV testing's prevalence is still low in Senegal, making it difficult to interrupt the transmission chain within the community and to reach the UNAIDS goal for 2020 of 90-90-90. Innovative community-based strategies are needed to address barriers and improve access to HIV testing in Senegal, particularly for men and for the youngest and poorest populations.