The Relationship Between HIV Testing and HIV Transmission Risk Behaviors among Men in Cameroon

HIV testing stands out as a pivotal HIV preventive measure in the face of increasing HIV transmission risk behaviors. This study examined the relationship between HIV transmission risk behaviors and HIV testing among men aged 15 to 64 years in Cameroon. The dataset from the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey (N=6978) were utilized. Chi-square tests examined the prevalence and association between HIV testing and HIV transmission risk behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression was fitted to predict the odds of HIV testing. About 58.7% had tested for HIV. Specifically, 55.8% of men who never tested for HIV were aged 15 and 24 years and 73% who never tested for HIV did not use a condom during their most recent sex. Remarkably, 27.3% of men aged 15-64 years who have never been tested for HIV also had multiple sexual partners, while 26.7% that never tested for HIV also did not use condom when engaging in paid sex. Regression results indicated that men aged 15-59 years who had multiple sexual partners (AOR=1.83, 95% CI=1.57-2.14, p<.001), a recent STI (AOR=1.40, 95% CI=1.18-1.66, p<.001), condom use during sex (AOR=1.30, 95% CI=1.10-1.53, p=.022) and paid for sex (AOR=1.19, 95% CI=1.01-1.41, p=.037), were associated with higher odds of testing for HIV compared to those who did not. HIV prevention efforts should focus on addressing the public health implications of unsafe sexual practices among men, devising innovative strategies for scaling up HIV testing among the vulnerable younger age groups and regions with lower HIV testing rates in Cameroon.