Factors Influencing Hiv Testing In A Small Public Hospital In Manglaralto Ecuador

Abstract

Increasing rates of HIV testing is critical to reducing the spread of the HIV epidemic in Ecuador. HIV testing serves a number of purposes; it can be a gateway for people to enter the HIV care continuum, it may reduce risk behaviors among those tested, and it can influence social norms around HIV. This study investigated individual, interpersonal, institutional, and community level factors influencing HIV testing. A cross sectional survey was administered to a convenience sample of patients at a small, rural, public hospital in coastal Ecuador. Educational attainment, HIV knowledge, and perception of confidentiality of test results were significantly associated with HIV testing. Individual risk behaviors and community level attributable stigma were not significantly associated with HIV testing. These results indicate a variety of targets for future research and intervention development, both at the individual and institutional level, to increase rates of HIV testing in this setting