The mediating effect of individual beliefs between self-testing knowledge and HIV self-testing use

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• HIV self-testing is a key strategy to combat barriers of clinic-based testing and end HIV by 2030.
• Uptake of HIV self-testing services faces challenges in low-skilled communities in Uganda.
• The Health Beliefs Model provides a framework to understand individual beliefs influencing health behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the mediating effect of individual beliefs (perceived susceptibility, benefits, barriers) between HIV self-testing knowledge and use.
• To investigate factors influencing HIV self-testing uptake among unskilled workers in Uganda.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 453 unskilled workers in Wakiso district, Uganda.
• Data were collected using a structured, validated, self-administered questionnaire.
• Regression mediation analysis was employed using Process Macro Model 4 in SPSS v27.

Main Results:

• Perceived susceptibility significantly mediated the relationship between HIV self-testing knowledge and use (β = 0.06).
• Perceived benefits also significantly mediated this relationship (β = 0.06).
• Perceived barriers did not significantly mediate the relationship between HIV self-testing knowledge and use (β = 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Increasing HIV self-testing use requires emphasizing the benefits and individuals' susceptibility to HIV.
• Interventions should address psychological factors beyond knowledge to promote HIV self-testing adoption.
• Focusing on perceived benefits and susceptibility may improve HIV testing strategies in low-skilled populations.