Factors related to past HIV testing among South African non-injection drug users

Abstract

South Africa has some of the highest estimates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the world, with a prevalence of 21.5%. Despite this, based on population-level data, 39% of sexually active South Africans have never been tested for HIV. Non-injection drug users (NIDUs) are a high-risk and increasingly prevalent group in South Africa. However, few studies have examined HIV test utilization among high-risk groups such as drug users in South Africa. The study was conducted in Pretoria, South Africa between 2002 and 2006. Of the 382 individuals surveyed, 31% had been tested for HIV in the past. Results indicate that females and older individuals were significantly more likely to have been tested for HIV at some point in the past, while individuals who did not know someone with HIV/AIDS as well as individuals who are unsure of their risk of HIV infection were significantly less likely to have ever accessed testing. Identification of these subgroups has implications for the development of targeted interventions to promote greater HIV testing among at-risk groups in South Africa.