Self-testing knowledge and beliefs on HIV self-testing use in central Uganda

The government of Uganda and its implementing partners have made significant investments in HIV self-testing (HST) services to reduce clinic-related barriers to HIV testing. However, although HSTs have been around for a reasonable time, their uptake, especially among unskilled working individuals, has remained suboptimal, which threatens the efforts to achieve the 95-95-95 UNAIDS goals to end HIV by 2030. This study set out to examine whether knowledge and individual beliefs about self-testing influence the use of HIV self-tests among causal workers in Kampala. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 453 participants selected via systematic random sampling from Darling Uganda Ltd. in Wakiso district between July and August 2023. Standardized questionnaires were used, and the analysis was performed using Pearson Correlations and Linear Regression in SPSS. The findings indicate that HIV self-testing (HST) knowledge was positively related to HST use (r=.387, p≤.01), perceived susceptibility (r=.212, p≤.01), perceived benefits (r=.152, p≤.01), and perceived barriers (r=.101, p≤.05). Individual beliefs, that is, perceived susceptibility (r=.355, p≤.01), perceived benefits (r=.487, p≤.01), and perceived barriers (r=.148, p≤.01), were significantly related to HST use. Perceived benefits were the best predictor of HST use among this population ( β =.442, p =.000). Therefore, (44.2%) of HST use was attributed to the benefits attached to the service. Therefore, increasing awareness regarding the benefits of HST among such populations increases the chances of HIV testing, particularly among men. This can pave the way for the 95-95-95 goal by 2030 of UNAIDS. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement Author received funding from Mak-BSSR Training Program geared toward “Strengthening behavioral and social science research capacity to address evolving challenges in HIV care and prevention in Uganda” Grant No. D43 TW011304. The funders had no role in the completion of this work other than provision of financial aid. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The study was approved by the Makerere University School of Medicine Research Ethics Committee; Mak-SOMREC-2022-515 and received administrative clearance from the participating study site (Darling Uganda Limited). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data is available