Abstract:

Background: HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) is universally accepted as an innovative strategy complimenting existing HIV testing services to archive the UNAIDS, 95-95-95 goals by 2030. However, the adoption of HIVST is lagging in most sub-Saharan countries, including Tanzania. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, barriers and facilitators on HIVST among undergraduate at Catholic University of Health and Allied Science in mwanza region, Tanzania.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was conducted from November to December 2021 among 327 undergraduates at catholic university of health and allied science aged 18 years and above.

Results: A total of 337 undergraduates participated in the study, about 57.2% were female and 42.8% were male. Majority 84.4% had high knowledge while 9.8% had moderate knowledge and 5.8% had no knowledge on HIV self-testing. About 88% had good attitude, while 12% had poor attitude on HIVST, about 84.7% thought the government should enhance the HIVST while 10.1% thought that the government is not responsible and only 5.2% they don’t know who to facilitate. Also 80.4% thought the government should provide HIVST kits for free, 13.8% thought the government should not provide free kits while 5.8% they didn’t know who to provide free kits.

Conclusions: The high level of knowledge and good attitude on HIV self-testing among undergraduate at CUHAS underscores the importance of introducing HIVST as a complementary approach to facilitate HIV testing services. Institution based HIV testing, low awareness on HIVST and availability of HIV kits are the most barriers, the government should facilitate and provide free HIV testing kits.