Men’s Adherence to HIV Testing in Ghana: The Role of Educational Level and Urban-Rural Dynamics

¹Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

²Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

*Corresponding author: Anthony Edward Boakye, Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana, Tel: +233544006918, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4017-8351; Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]

Received Date: March 31, 2025

Published Date: April 22, 2025

Citation: Boakye AE, et al. (2025). Men’s Adherence to HIV Testing in Ghana: The Role of Educational Level and Urban-Rural Dynamics. Mathews J HIV AIDS. 7(1):26.

Copyrights: Boakye AE, et al. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

Background: Globally, HIV transmission is ongoing in all countries making new infections hit around 1.5 million annually. Some evidence suggests that when people know their HIV status, they may be more likely to take steps to remain free from HIV. Objective: Based on this, the study aimed to investigate how educational level and urban-rural dynamics play a role in men’s adherence to HIV testing in Ghana. Methods: The 2022 DHS survey took place in Ghana and was conducted cross-sectionally with quantitative approach. Participants enrolled were 7,263 men age 15–59 years and 7,044 were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of 97%. The main fieldwork commenced on 17^th October 2022 and ended on 14th of January, 2023. In all, three (3) months were used to gather the data. Socio-demographic characteristics of participants were: age; date of birth; duration of residency; previous residency; literacy; education; access to media; mobile phone use; use of the internet and place of residence. The questionnaire used to gather the data was composed of HIV: knowledge of HIV, of ways of transmission, sources of information, behaviour to avoid STIs and HIV, stigma, history of HIV testing. Results: The study found primary education to be significantly related to men’s adherence to HIV testing at p<0.001, (OR=2.169, 95%CI ([1.689-2.786]). Secondary education was significant at p=0.001, (OR=3.877, 95%CI [3.221-4.666]). Higher education was significant at p=0.001, (OR=8.998, 95%CI [6.470-12.513]). Residing in rural setting was significant at p<0.001, (OR=0.367, 95%CI ([0.310-0.433]). Conclusion: Adherence to HIV testing among rural men in the study was low. This was attributable to urban-rural dynamics. Based on this, the study recommends that HIV testing services be made readily available in rural setting to empower men get tested regularly.

Keywords: Adherence, Educational Level, HIV Testing, Men, Urban-Rural Dynamics.