scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about HIV self-testing amongst college students in Namibia

F1000Research ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Malizgani Mhango ◽  
Vuyiseka Dubula-Majola ◽  
Leon-Say Mudadi
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Self Testing

Background: In 2019, the Namibian Ministry of Health introduced HIV self-testing (HIVST) as an additional strategy to increase uptake of HIV self-testing in traditionally hard-to-reach subpopulations, such as young adults and males. It is unclear how the utilisation of HIV self-testing iw optimised in young adults. The study objective is understanding knowledge, attitudes, and perception levels amongst college-going young adults in Namibia. Methods: This quantitative study utilised a sample of 97 young college students who received a pre-test structured questionnaire. One sample t-test was used to analyse the average score from the Likert scale. A cut-off p-value of 0.05 to determine statistical significance of variables was used. Logistic regression computation was used to identify independent variables significantly associated with the dependent variable. A univariate analysis was done on awareness and acceptability with statistical significance of p<0.05 to obtain preliminary insights into the association between independent and dependent variables. The net effect variables are assessed using multivariate analysis using STATA 13.1, taking into account confounding factors. Results: Out of the 97 participants, only 23.7% knew about HIV self-testing. The logistic regression had a significant association with awareness of HIV self-testing (p≤0.05): on condom use during a first sexual encounter; being with a single sexual partner in the last 12 months; not having a sexually transmitted infection. The univariate analysis revealed an association with the acceptability of HIV self-testing from females; those who live in urban settlements; having not had sexually transmitted infection in the last twelve months. Moreover, findings reveal there are low levels of awareness, yet participants had positive attitudes and levels of acceptability to HIV self-testing. Conclusion: This study shows promise if awareness through health education and promotion about HIV self-testing can be increased. This can form part of scaling up HIV testing in Namibia.

College students’ preferences for information on self-initiated sexually transmitted infection testing

2020 ◽  
pp. 001789692095969
Author(s):  
Oluwamuyiwa Winifred Adebayo ◽  
Jocelyn C Anderson ◽  
Britney M Wardecker
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sti Testing

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify preferences for content, method of delivery and frequency of information to encourage self-initiated sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. Design: Qualitative study involving individual in-depth interviews with 35 college students aged 18–24 years. Setting: A university in Central Pennsylvania, USA. Method: Data were collected using a demographic and sexual history questionnaire, Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide. Transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Findings from the study document STI testing information preferences as they relate to self-initiated testing. The majority of participants preferred receiving STI testing information through email. Themes within their accounts included Actionable Information Content, Frequently Accessed Delivery Method, and Routine STI Testing Information. Conclusion: The high incidence of STIs among US college students is an indication of the need to increase diagnosis and treatment to reduce transmission. Study findings have implications for the development and evaluation of low-cost interventions to improve the uptake of STI testing and reduce STI burden among college students.

scholarly journals Partner notification and treatment outcomes among South African adolescents and young adults diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection via laboratory-based screening

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 627-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooja Chitneni ◽  
Mags Beksinska ◽  
Janan J Dietrich ◽  
Manjeetha Jaggernath ◽  
Kalysha Closson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Partner Notification ◽  
Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Care Cascade ◽  
Essential Components

Partner notification and treatment are essential components of sexually transmitted infection (STI) management, but little is known about such practices among adolescents and young adults. Using data from a prospective cohort study (AYAZAZI) of youth aged 16–24 years in Durban, South Africa, we assessed the STI care cascade across participant diagnosis, STI treatment, partner notification, and partner treatment; index recurrent STI and associated factors; and reasons for not notifying partner of STI. Participants completed laboratory-based STI screening ( Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis) at enrollment and at 12 months. Of the 37/216 participants with STI (17%), 27/37 (73%) were women and 10/37 (27%) were men. Median age was 19 years (IQR: 18–20). Of the participants with STI, 23/37 (62%) completed a Treatment and Partner Tracing Survey within 6 months of diagnosis. All survey participants reported completing STI treatment (100%), 17/23 (74%) notified a partner, and 6/23 (35%) reported partner treatment. Overall, 4/23 (11%) participants had 12-month recurrent C. trachomatis infection, with no association with partner notification or treatment. Stigma and lack of STI knowledge were reasons for not notifying partner of STI. STI partner notification and treatment is a challenge among youth. Novel strategies are needed to overcome barriers along the STI care cascade.

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