Background
The proportion of known positive cases among newly diagnosed HIV patients has been on the rise as Cameroon works towards achieving epidemic control. Understanding the determinants of this behavior may aid in the development of interventions to reduce it. We aimed to assess the reasons and factors associated with HIV retesting among people living with HIV.
Methodology
This was a cross-sectional mixed methods survey among 800 conveniently sampled patients, receiving ART in four high volume HIV clinics in the North West 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. Logistic regression analysis in SPPS version 24.0 was used to identify predictors of re-testing.
Result.
Prevalence of retesting among participants was 26.6% with a higher prevalence observed among PLHIV in the urban setting (31.9%) compared to those in the semi-urban setting (16%). 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), facility setting (p=0.001), religion/denomination (p=0.002), level of education (p=0.02) and occupation (p=0.005) were significantly associated with retesting. In multivariate analysis patients using a facility in an urban setting were about 3 times more likely to retest, AOR= 2.7 (95%CI:1.8, 4.1), while younger patients (21-40 years) were about 2 times more likely to retest, AOR=1.9 (95%CI:1.3, 2.7).
Conclusion.
HIV retesting is common among PLHIV in this setting. Routine monitoring of retesters is recommended for de-duplication of new HIV diagnoses.