TITLE:
Determinants of HIV Retesting among People Living with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Northwest Region, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Eugene Chiabi, Bereynuy Jude Cholong, Ignatius Cheng Ndong, Peter Nsah Yungsi, Milton Nyanchi Chiabah, Esther Bonje Kuni, Eveline Khan Mboh, Tshimwanga Edouard Katayi, Walters Kang Kum, Albert Beteck Bakor, Emmanuel Mboh Nshom, Johnson Vishi Monju, Pius Muffih Tih
KEYWORDS:
HIV Retesting, People Living with HIV, Rural, Urban
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of AIDS,
Vol.15 No.1,
January
24,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Retesters among PLHIV have been on the rise as countries work towards achieving HIV epidemic control. This has potential consequences in HIV programs including delayed ART initiation and duplication of HIV testing data. Context specific assessments are needed to inform mitigation actions. We aimed to assess the reasons and factors associated with HIV retesting among PLHIV. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional mixed methods survey among 800 conveniently sampled PLHIV in four high volume HIV clinics in the Northwest Region from 1st to 31st August 2023. We estimated the prevalence of retesting and elicited reasons for retesting. Chi-Square test was used to assess the relationship between retesting and the independent variables and logistic regression analysis in SPSS version 24.0 was used to identify predictors of re-testing. Results: Prevalence of retesting among participants was 26.6% with a higher prevalence observed among PLHIV in the urban setting (32%) compared to those in the rural setting (16%) and 53% of retesters had interrupted treatment in the past. Reasons for retesting included confirmation of cure after prayers 89 (39%), uncertainty about diagnosis 53 (24.9%), health worker request 31 (14.6%), perception of good health 28 (13.1%), confirmation of cure after suppressed viral load 9 (4.2%), premarital VCT 5 (2.3%), and confirmation of cure from alternative treatment 4 (1.9%). In bivariate analysis using chi-square age (p = 0.04), occupation (p = 0.005), level of education (p = 0.019), religion/denomination (p = 0.002) and facility setting (p Conclusion: Retesting is more likely among younger PLHIV and those living in urban settings. Routine assessments to determine retesters will improve the quality of HIV testing data.