The Demand for HIV/AIDS Testing in Women in Zimbabwe

Abstract

HIV/AIDS has an adverse socio-economic impact on a nation if not properly managed. One of the ways to prevent the spread of the HIV virus is early HIV testing. This study uses the probit model to explore the factors affecting the woman’s decision to get tested for HIV in Zimbabwe. The probit model results show that relational-level and individual-level variables determine HIV testing in women in Zimbabwe. For policy makers concerned about how to encourage early HIV testing among women, policies aimed at providing higher levels of education for women and empowering women in decision making will increase their probability of being tested and would substantially increase early HIV/AIDS testing in Zimbabwe.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p2380