Awareness and Attitudes Toward HIV Self-Testing in Northern Thailand

Nardeen Shafik, Savana Deeb, Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai, Pisittawoot Ayood, Rungnapa Malasao, Penprapa Siviroj, Patou Masika Musumari and Michele M. Wood
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Nardeen Shafik: Department of Public Health, California State University, Fullerton, 800 North State College Boulevard, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
Savana Deeb: Department of Public Health, California State University, Fullerton, 800 North State College Boulevard, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai: Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intavaroros, Sriphum, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Pisittawoot Ayood: Sankamphaeng Hospital Chiang Mai, Buak Khang Sub-district, Sankamphaeng, Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand
Rungnapa Malasao: Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intavaroros, Sriphum, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Penprapa Siviroj: Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intavaroros, Sriphum, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Patou Masika Musumari: Kyoto University Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8317, Japan
Michele M. Wood: Department of Public Health, California State University, Fullerton, 800 North State College Boulevard, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Human Immunodeficiency Virus self-testing (HIVST) was recently introduced in Thailand, but little is known about receptivity among its residents. Because Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing is a critical component of HIV prevention, it is important to understand how HIVST is perceived among potential users. The purpose of this study was to examine awareness and attitudes toward HIVST among adults in Northern Thailand. A convenience sample of 403 adult residents of the Sanpatong district, Chiang Mai Province, was interviewed using a structured questionnaire in 2019. Awareness of HIVST was low (14%), as was the overall HIVST negative attitude score (6.44; possible range of 0–14). The odds of being aware of HIVST were more than twice as high for those with more education compared to those with less (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.22–4.30), and roughly half as high for those who expressed HIV stigma compared to those who did not (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26–0.91). Holding negative attitudes towards HIVST also was associated with lower education and expressing HIV stigma, but these relationships disappeared in multivariate analysis. Findings may be used by local health organizations to tailor HIVST education efforts.

Keywords: HIV; HIV self-testing; attitudes; stigma; Thailand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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