Risk Factors for affecting Young People’s HIV Status (age 15 – 24) in Voluntary Mobile Counseling and Testing in 40 Towns of Oromiya, Amhara and Afar Regional States, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The vast majority of young people (age 15-24) in Ethiopia remain uninformed about their HIV status. HIV prevalence is higher particularly among urban young population than rural with low risk perceptions, high levels of unprotected sex with multiple noncohabiting sexual partners and low utilization of condoms. However, risk factors that exposed young people to HIV have not been studied much in the country. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to determine the risk factors for HIV positive young people (age 15 – 24) that accessed mobile counseling and testing sites in forty towns of Ethiopia. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey that utilized a pre-coded and structured national VCT client intake form. The client intake questionnaire is filled by the counselor. All young clients (age 15-24) who came to the mobile sites were included in the survey. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate (logistics regression) were used to analyze the risk factors that affect HIV status of young people. Results: An overall HIV prevalence of 2.4 was observed among young people (female=4.9 and male = 1.0). A 5 times higher risk of contracting HIV was documented among young women compared to young men (AOR=4.7). The risk of HIV was three times higher among those who reported having sexual experience compared to those who hadn’t (AOR=2.7). An excess risk of HIV was also noted among young people who ever contracted STI (AOR=2.9) and who engaged in transactional sex (AOR=2). Certain segments of young people (age group 20-24, divorced, widow/er, FSWs, who engaged in small businesses, self employed, employed at public/private, and unskilled laborers) appeared to carry excess risks of HIV. Attended a tertiary education level and previously tested for HIV found to be protective for young people from acquiring HIV. Conclusion and Recommendations: HIV affects young people who are involved in low economic status occupations, less educated, those who practice risky behaviors like not using condom at last risk sex, having multiple sexual partners, and those who ever contracted STI. Effective community mobilization strategy should be designed to attract high risk young people to the MCT and eventually to link them to other prevention programs and care and support services.