Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2001-2002 - Measure DHS

For example, HIV levels typically vary substantially by age, with low levels in the youngest agegroups and peaks at older ages. The 2001-2002 ZDHS results were examined for evidence that coveragelevels varied across age groups. Figure 14.1 shows no evidence that coverage rates in the ZDHS weremarkedly lower in age groups where HIV rates are typically highest.Figure 14.1 Percentage of Respondents 15-49 Tested for HIV inthe 2001-2002 ZDHS, by Age GroupPercent10079 81 80 8180868178604020015-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49Age GroupZDHS 2001-2002Table 14.5 also shows the variation in the coverage of testing by two variables relating to sexualactivity: marital status and number of partners. HIV infection levels in Zambia have been shown to behigher in the unmarried sexually active population than among those who are married (Fylkesnes et al.,1997). In Table 14.5 there is no evidence that unmarried sexually active individuals were less likely to betested than married individuals. In fact, the only major difference in testing coverage by marital status isthe substantially lower rates among women and men who report they had never had intercourse. Thenumber of sexual partners that an individual has had is another factor related to HIV infection risk. Unmarriedmen who report having two or more partners in the 12 months prior to the survey were somewhatless likely to be tested than other men; however, three in four of men in this category were tested.In Zambia, education is another variable related to HIV infection levels, with rates rising directlywith increasing education attainment (Fylkesnes et al., 1997). The variation in coverage rates by educationstatus shown in Table 14.5 do not parallel the known pattern of infection levels by education; in fact,the differentials in HIV testing coverage rates across education groups are comparatively small, with coveragerates lowest among women and men with no education, the group known to have the lowest HIVinfection levels.Table 14.5 also shows coverage rates by the respondent’s prior HIV test status and interest in beingtested. Coverage rates are lowest for individuals who had not previously been tested and did not wantto be tested (roughly 60 percent among both women and men) and highest for individuals who had notbeen tested but indicated that they wanted to be tested (nearly 90 percent of women and men). Aroundthree in four of women and men who were previously tested agreed to be tested in the 2001-2002 survey.Although the variation in coverage rates is more marked in the case of this variable than for the othervariables shown in Table 14.5, it is difficult to assess the nature and direction of the bias that these differentialsmight represent.230 | Prevalence of HIV and Syphilis