Factors associated with delayed diagnosis of HIV infection in Mukono District, Uganda

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors associated with delayed diagnosis of HIV infection.

Design: Cross sectional study.

Setting: Mukono district, Uganda.

Subjects: Newly diagnosed HIV positive clients at ten HIV testing centres. Late testers were HIV positive clients who had AIDS according to World Health Organisation AIDS case definition. Early-testers did not have AIDS at diagnosis.

Main outcome measures: Late testers were compared to early testers on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, access of testing services, knowledge of care and support services for HIV/AIDS and attitude towards knowing HIV-status.

Results: Delayed diagnosis of HIV infection was independently associated with being over 25 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 4.3; Confidence Interval (CI) 1.7-11.1), not being married (AOR, 2.4; CI 1.3-4.4), having no knowledge of testing services (AOR, 2.4; CI, 1.2 4.7), spending at least one hour travelling to a testing centre (AOR, 2.1; CI, 1.0-4.2), paying for HIV testing (AOR, 3.4; CI, 1.7-6.9) having had an illness two months before testing AOR 9.49; CI, 4.84-18.64) and having negative beliefs towards knowing one's HIV sero status (AOR, 5.7; CI, 1.0-30.8).

Conclusion: Factors associated with delayed diagnosis of HIV infection in Mukono District of Uganda are; age over 25 years, not being married, having no knowledge of testing services, paying for HIV testing, travelling for at least one hour to a testing centre and having negative beliefs towards knowing one's HIV status. In order to increase access to testing there is need to offer free HIV testing and health education targeting people above 25 years and those not married.