One of the groups of people who remain at higher risk of late diagnosis with HIV is women.
While women make up a small proportion of the total population of people living with HIV, they also miss out on many of the educational campaigns, as these tend to be largely focused on a male audience.
This is a challenge faced around the world, and in some countries the number of women and children being exposed to HIV continues to be a concern.
In Tanzania, a recent study has looked into the reasons why many women have never been tested for HIV – and there are lessons that might be applicable to us here in Australia.
Researchers explored why women of reproductive age — those between 15 and 49 years — have never undertaken an HIV test, and which factors in their lives may influence their decision‑making.
The study included data from 15,254 participants, of whom 20.2% reported that they had never undertaken an HIV test. The researchers found that level of education was a significant factor, as well as relationship or marital status. Access to media and the internet also increased HIV knowledge and the likelihood of follow‑through on preventative actions.
Women with primary or secondary education were significantly less likely to have never been tested for HIV compared with women who had no formal education.
The researchers suggested that one possible explanation is that women with formal education are more likely to access media and the internet, where HIV awareness campaigns are promoted. They are also more likely to engage in social networks that encourage health‑seeking behaviours, such as HIV testing.
The study also revealed a significant association between marital status and HIV testing behaviour. Women who were married, cohabiting, widowed, divorced or separated were less likely to have never been tested for HIV compared with single women.
The researchers suggest this may be because women in relationships are more likely to be exposed to HIV testing initiatives, such as couple or partner testing programs, which encourage joint participation in HIV prevention and care services.
Overall, the study examined a wide range of factors — from pregnancy history to awareness of HIV self‑testing kits — suggesting there are many opportunities where awareness and empowerment could be improved.
“Public health authorities should strengthen awareness campaigns, expand access to HIV testing through maternal, reproductive and community health programs, and implement community‑based outreach strategies to empower women, enhance knowledge, reduce fear and increase testing uptake,” the report’s recommendations state.
The phrase “The Last Mile” grew out of the telecommunications industry, after it was discovered that connecting individual properties to networks was the most challenging task.
In the journey towards ending HIV, Australia is now looking down “The Last Mile”. This is why we adopted the phrase for this new series of reports exploring how the goals of 2030 can be achieved.
This is a solutions‑based journalism project. Its aim is to interrogate the challenge, explore the data, hear lived experiences, and present ideas and practices that will help bring us closer to achieving the 2030 goals.
Contact
Graeme Watson
Co-editor
graeme@outinperth.com
