Reliability and Validity of HIV Self-Reported Result in Determining HIV Prevalence in a Region with High HIV Prevalence: Western Kenya

Elijah Asadhi; Fredrick Otieno; Fredrick Sifunjo; Amollo S. Asito

Volume : VII, Issue : II, February - 2018

Reliability and Validity of HIV Self-Reported Result in Determining HIV Prevalence in a Region with High HIV Prevalence: Western Kenya

Elijah Asadhi, Fredrick Otieno, Fredrick Sifunjo, Amollo S. Asito

Abstract :

Background: Several studies have been done around HIV self–reported result, there is still a paucity of data on the reliability and validity of data from self–reported HIV result. We sought to assess the reliability and validity of self–reported HIV result in western Kenya, a region with high HIV prevalence.

Methodology: We used a prospective cohort study design. Participants aged 15 years or older were recruited to the study using simple random technique. Eligible participants were taken through a behavioral interview and later followed up for HIV testing.

Results: A total 5955 respondents were interviewed and later tested for HIV within one year, and 99.9% reported having an HIV test. Agreement between self–reported and actual HIV result was 96.9% with a Cohen’s kappa of 0.869(95%CI= 0.8501 – 0.8874). Males (kappa = 0.874, 95%CI 0.841 – 0.907) presented slightly higher agreement than women (kappa = 0.866, 95%CI 0.843 – 0.889). The sensitivity of HIV self–reported result was 0.81, 95%CI (0.784 –0.836) and a specificity of 0.997, 95%CI (0.995–0.998) with an accuracy of 0.97, 95%CI (0.965–0.974). HIV self–reported result had a higher positive predictive value of 0.978, 95%CI (0.964–0.987). Knowing partner’s HIV status, testing previously as couples and being 45 – 49 years of age had significantly increased odds of correctly reporting HIV status.

Conclusion: Self–reported positive status provides an accurate measure of HIV status, hence self–reported sero–positivity should be treated as HIV positive for purposes of surveillance and equally for inclusion into interventions which require HIV positive individuals.