AUTHOR=Sambou Muhammed Lamin , Dai Juncheng , Zhao Xiaoyu , Hong Tongtong , Basnet Til Bahadur , Marley Gifty , Sambou Alima , Fadoua El Hafa , Naveed Muhammad 

TITLE=Determinants of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Service Uptake Among Adult Sub-Saharan Africans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=Volume 43 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2022.1604065

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2022.1604065

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=Introduction: The study aims to examine the major determinants of VCT uptake among adults in SSA to improve interventions against HIV in the region. 
Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify eligible English language publications. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework was adhered, and the selected articles were critically appraised by the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. 
Results: We found the following 8 determinants significantly associated with VCT service uptake among adults in SSA: less physical access [OR (Odds ratio): 0.77 (95% CI (Confidence interval): 0.62-0.96), P<0.01], older age [OR: 1.36 (95% CI: 1.08-1.73), P<0.01], higher education level [OR: 1.60 (95% CI: 1.24-2.05), P<0.01], high knowledge of HIV and VCT awareness [OR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.03-1.90), P<0.01], unprotected sexual practices [OR: 1.75 (95% CI: 1.18-2.58), P<0.01], discussion on HIV among partners and others [OR: 1.76 (95% CI: 1.10-2.81), P<0.01], other STIs [OR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.00-1.98), P<0.01], and divorced/separated [OR: 1.39 (95% CI: 1.12-1.72), P<0.01]. 
Conclusions: This study showed that 8 determinants were significantly associated with VCT service uptake in SSA.