HIV testing among youth attending secondary shool in Kenya: A multi-level analysis

Using hierarchical linear models, we identify both individual and teacher/school level factors that affect voluntary HIV testing among young people attending secondary schools in Kenya. Separate models are built for males and females. Results indicate that young Kenyans, both males and females, are more likely to test for their HIV serostatus when they have specific knowledge related to VCT, are involved in HIV/AIDS activities from primary school, have HIV information available in their respective secondary schools, perceive themselves at high risk of contracting HIV, know whether someone is infected or has died of HIV/AIDS and have ever engaged in sexual intercourse. On the other hand, indicating that they are afraid to go to a VCT centre, and cannot go to a VCT centre because people will think they are HIV positive are barriers to testing among the young secondary school students. Teacher/school level characteristics are relevant in explaining HIV testing, especially among female students. Female students with teachers who incorporate HIV information into their academic curriculum are more likely to test for HIV.