Table 3

Characteristics related with HIV testing

HIV testingN (%)Missing
Previous HIV testing (n=2183)168
 Yes1650 (81.9)
 No354 (17.6)
 Did not know11 (0.5)
 Rather not say0 (0.0)
Number of previous tests, median (P25-P75)3 (2–6)31
Place of last HIV test (n=1650)2
 Public network of VCT centres (CAD)506 (30.7)
 Family doctor (National health service)311 (18.9)
 Public hospital (National health service)182 (11.0)
 Abroad152 (9.2)
 Private laboratory150 (9.1)
 Private hospital or clinic144 (8.7)
 CheckpointLX79 (4.8)
 Blood donation45 (2.7)
 Mobile unit28 (1.7)
 Other49 (3.0)
 Did not know2 (0.1)
Reasons for index test (n=2183)*
 To check health status/routine1736 (81.3)49
 Perception of HIV exposure more than 3 months before1084 (50.5)38
 Perception of HIV exposure in the previous 3 months884 (40.7)9
 Accident with condom use (rupture/left inside)183 (8.6)56
 My partner asked me to test for HIV158 (7.4)57
 To stop using condom with my partner149 (7.0)64
 Partner diagnosed HIV+/disclosed HIV+ status138 (6.5)56
 Possible window period by the time of the last test136 (6.4)61
 Symptoms/medical indication58 (2.7)61
 Other reason159 (7.3)
  • *Percentage of participants that answered ‘yes’ at each option after excluding missing answers. The remaining participants answered no, did not know or rather not say.

  • CAD, Centro de Aconselhamento e Deteção Precoce do VIH; VCT, voluntary counselling and testing.