HIV Testing and Sexual Practices of Young People in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

Background: Young people have a surge in sex-related interest throughout this stage of life which increases their risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). HIV Testing is a critical strategy to reduce the rate of new HIV infections and the key entry point to HIV treatment, care, and support services. We examined the prevalence and predictors of HIV testing and sexual practices among young people in the Hohoe Municipality. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study among 423 young people aged 15-24 years using a questionnaire administered with Kobo Toolbox. Descriptive and inferential statistics including chi-square and logistic regression models were adopted in analysing with STATA version 17.0. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results : The prevalence of HIV testing was 20.1%. Risky sexual behaviour was 35.7%. Males (aOR=0.38, 95% CI=0.20–0.74, p=0.004), those who had JHS level of education (aOR=0.11, 95% CI=0.02–0.53, p=0.006), and who did not feel comfortable discussing HIV testing with health providers (aOR=0.37, 95% CI=0.17–0.78, p=0.009) had lower odds of testing for HIV. Conversely, those who tested for other STIs were more likely to test for HIV (aOR=5.14, 95% CI=2.59–10.17, p<0.001) than those who did not. Respondents living with their spouses or significant others (aOR=3.10, 95% CI=1.20-7.96, p=0.01) and those who were married (aOR=0.46, 95% CI=0.23, 0.93, p=0.032) had higher odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviour. Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV testing was low and significantly influenced by sex, educational level, and history of STI testing apart from HIV, comfort discussing HIV testing with a health provider, knowledge of accessing testing services, and inadequate knowledge about HIV transmission predicted HIV testing. The low prevalence of HIV testing in the population poses a challenge to achieving Target 3.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target. We recommend targeted interventions to increase HIV testing among young people, focusing on educational programs, improved healthcare communication, and promotion of safe sex practices.