Abstract
INTRODUCTION: HIV/AIDS remain a major health crisis globally, and it is disproportionately higher among young women. Expanding HIV testing coverage is very critical to help reduce the spread of the disease and speed up HIV epidemic control and elimination. Though there are several studies on HIV care and prevention in Ghana, few of such studies focus on HIV self-testing (HIVST). This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with the awareness and use of HIVST kits among young women aged 15-24 in Ghana. METHODS: This study used the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data conducted in 2022/2023. The sample was restricted to young women aged 15-24 who have ever had sex, yielding a sample size of 3312. The dependent variables were awareness and use of HIVST kits. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the factors associated with awareness and use of HIVST kit. RESULTS: Out of the 3,312 respondents, 17.8% were aware of HIVST kits, and 9.9% have ever used the HIVST kit to check their HIV status. Women with HIV testing history were more likely to be aware and use HIVST kits, while those with no formal, primary and secondary educations were less likely to be aware and use HIVST kits. Also, significant factors associated with only awareness of HIVST kits were age, ecological zones, marital status, religion, and heard of antiretrovirals (ARVs). Specifically, women aged 20-24 and those who have ever heard of ARVs were more likely to be aware of HIVST kits. Moreover, women who used condom during last sex in the past year were more likely to use the HIVST kits. CONCLUSION: Awareness and use of HIVST kits were generally low among young women in Ghana. Policymakers should strengthen HIV/AIDS education interventions by targeting vulnerable women (those with no, primary and secondary education, those not using condom during last sex in the past year, and those without HIV testing history) to promote the uptake of HIVST kits.