Factors Associated with HIV Testing in Zambia

This book presents an innovative way of analysing determinants of HIV testing within the the Zambian context. Despite using the post-test only design, this book makes a number of important observations regarding the role of HIV testing. Most people do not go for HIV testing until they are sick, pregnant or encounter testing conditionality such as visa and scholarship requirements. In fact, most of those tested are women who tested during pregnancy in order to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. There is also stronger opposition to testing among men than women. The book also reveals HIV testing has no significant effect on knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitudes towards people living with HIV. While HIV testing has some significant effect on sexual behaviour, it does not necessarily prevent people from having multiple sexual partners. However, those tested for HIV are more prudent about condom use than those not tested but resistance to condom use is still high owing to beliefs that condoms reduce pleasure. The book concludes that as long as a total cure for HIV/AIDS remains a glimmer, reliance on voluntarism for HIV testing is unlikely to garner public support in Zambia