Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Date

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Sociology

Committee Chair

Wesley James

Committee Member

Junmin Wang

Committee Member

Tim McCuddy

Abstract

HIV testing is still an important component of HIV prevention, and disparities persist among women in Ghana. This study examines psychosocial and socio-demographic factors influencing HIV testing behavior, using data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. A binary logistic regression result revealed that older, more educated, and wealthier women, and women who utilized HIV test kits, exhibit a much higher likelihood of undergoing HIV testing. Awareness of HIV stigma reduces the likelihood of women undergoing testing. Variations existed depending on the place of residence. Women in rural and northern belts were less likely to undergo testing. Marital status, internet use, and other sociocultural factors, religion, and ethnicity demonstrated varied effects. There are intersectional effects of individual, structural, and cultural factors affecting HIV testing rates among women in Ghana. Expanding access to self-testing, improving health education, and addressing stigma and geographic inequities are significant strategies to achieve the UNAIDS 95–95–95 objectives and increase HIV testing rates among women in Ghana.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest/Clarivate.

Notes

Open Access

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