Abstract:
Background: Worldwide, youth aged 15–24 years are at a high risk for Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) acquisition and need specifically to be reached by HIV
prevention interventions. Among key strategies towards HIV prevention in Rwanda, the
Voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) is identified as one of the most important
interventions. In order to support the use this important strategy, key factors that contribute to
VCT uptake were investigated. The aim of this study is to assess the utilization of VCT
services among youth (15-24 years) in Rwanda.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study design using RDHS 2014/2015 data set was used. Data analysis was
done using Stata version 13. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to
identify predictors of VCT uptake. Association with p-value < 0.05 was considered
significant.
Results: The findings revealed that VCT uptake was higher among female youth (72%) than
male youth (61%). VCT uptake was found to be significantly associated to the older (20-24)
age group (OR=3.16; 95% CI= 2.71–3.68), higher education level (OR= 2.40; 95 % CI=
1.99–2.89), residence in rural area (OR=0.68; 95% CI= 0.55-0.84 ), exposure to mass media
at least once a week, having a comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS (OR = 1.59; 95%
CI=1.19–2.14 ), and age at first sexual intercourse (OR=10.93; 95% CI = 6.77-17.66 ).The
VCT uptake decreases with the increase level of the stigma.
Conclusion: VCT uptake among youth in Rwanda is somehow encouraging with 72% among
female and 61% among male. The major factors identified for increased VCT service
utilization were the older age group (20-24 years), having achieved secondary or higher
education level, location of residence, having comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS and
late sexual relation (after 15 years old). Therefore, actions are needed to effectively enhance
youth knowledge on HIV prevention and VCT services tailored to the specific needs of
adolescents.
