Open AccessHIV testing uptake and prevalence among hospitalized older adults in Togo: A cross-sectional study
Author(s) -
Fifonsi Adjidossi Gbeasor-Komlanvi,
Wendpouiré Ida Carine Zida-Compaore,
Arnold Junior Sadio,
Martin Kouame Tchankoni,
Balakiyem Magnim Kadangha,
Mounérou Salou,
Anoumou Claver Dagnra,
Didier Koumavi Ekouévi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0246151
Subject(s) - medicine , cross sectional study , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , population , young adult , demography , gerontology , family medicine , environmental health , pathology , sociology
Objectives This study aimed to describe HIV testing uptake, as well as HIV prevalence and its associated factors among older adults aged ≥50 years in health facilities in Togo. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2018 to June 2019 among hospitalized older adults aged ≥50 years in tertiary and secondary hospitals in Togo. HIV testing was performed according to the national algorithm. Socio-demographic data and HIV testing history were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Results A total of 619 patients (43.9% female) of median age 61 years, (IQR: 55–70) were recruited and offered HIV testing. Among them, 25.7% had never previously tested for HIV. In total, 91.6% (567/619) accepted HIV testing while 8.4% (52/619) refused to be tested. Of those who tested, forty patients were HIV positive, yielding a prevalence of 7.1%. Twenty-three patients (57.5%) were newly diagnosed with HIV infection. In multivariable analysis, two factors were associated with HIV infection: living alone (aOR = 5.83; 95%CI = [2.26–14.53]) and being <60 years (aOR = 3.12; 95%CI = [1.51–6.66]). Conclusion The majority of older adults in this study accepted testing for HIV and almost three in five HIV positive older adults were newly diagnosed with HIV as a result of this testing. There is an urgent need to integrate older adults into responses to the HIV epidemic and to strengthen targeted prevention care and treatment in this population.