HIV testing is still widespread among adults in Rwanda, with women consistently more likely to get tested than men, according to the findings of the seventh Demographic and Health Survey (DHS 7), announced on Wednesday, December 17.

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Statistics by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) show that 77 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have ever tested for HIV and received their results, compared with 71 percent of men.

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According to the findings, women’s more frequent visits to health facilities, mainly for antenatal and reproductive services, help explain the trend seen in earlier surveys.

HIV testing within the past year declined, with the survey showing that 29 percent of women and 22 percent of men were tested and received their results in the 12 months preceding the survey.

The study assessed understanding of HIV prevention by looking at awareness of common myths and medical facts, revealing that some false beliefs persist. Some respondents said they believe HIV can be transmitted through mosquito bites, sharing food with an infected person, or even witchcraft and supernatural causes.

The survey reveals that awareness of key HIV prevention messages is high, with most people correctly recognizing that a healthy-looking person can be living with HIV, consistent condom use reduces the risk of infection, staying faithful to one uninfected partner lowers exposure, and that male circumcision can reduce HIV risk for men.

Among young people aged 15 to 24, prevention knowledge is lower and shows urban-rural gaps. Nationally, 57 percent of young women and 53 percent of young men demonstrated correct knowledge of HIV prevention.

In urban areas, the figures rise to 62 percent for young women and 63 percent for young men. In rural areas, they fall to 55 percent and 49 percent, respectively.

Survey trend data tracks a change over time. In 2000, correct knowledge stood at 23 percent among young women and 20 percent among young men. These figures increased in subsequent surveys as HIV education expanded nationwide.

Knowledge levels reached their highest point in the 2014 to 2015 survey, at 65 percent for young women and 64 percent for young men. Later surveys recorded a decline. The 2019–2020 DHS showed a drop from previous highs, and the latest DHS 7 results show further declines, with correct knowledge now at 57 percent among young women and 53 percent among young men.

The findings also show that while accurate prevention messages are generally known, misinformation still circulates, particularly among younger age groups.

Reaching youth with new approaches

Reaching young people with accurate HIV information requires new approaches as many in the 15 to 24 age group have never seen the effect of the epidemic, according to Dr. Albert Tuyishime, Head of Diseases Prevention and Control at the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), during an interview with The New Times.

He added that education for this age group must go past traditional radio and TV messages.

"Young people are online, at sports events, in entertainment venues. That’s where we have a better chance of connecting with them. We also need to increase the frequency of delivering these messages. 20 years ago, people saw friends or family falling sick or dying from HIV. That was a clear warning; however, today’s youth don’t have that experience,” Dr. Tuyishime said.

He explained that expanded access to HIV treatment has changed the message itself. This is because treatment keeps people alive and healthy; the lesson that HIV is deadly no longer exists.

He noted the need to make up for that with consistent, well-targeted information.

Dr. Tuyishime said: "While awareness campaigns exist, they often focus on World AIDS Day on December 1. That day is usually the start of a six-month campaign, but after that initial push, messaging slows down. We need to make sure young people are hearing these messages continuously.”

He added that families have a role to play in HIV education, for instance, parents, siblings, and everyone in the household needs to talk openly about how HIV is transmitted, how to protect themselves, and where to get support.

Tuyishime explained that schools and communities also have an important role, for those in school, the education system needs to provide guidance. For those out of school, communities need to step in. Ministries like health, education, local government, and gender all have a responsibility.

He noted the simplicity of the message young people need to hear. "This is how HIV is transmitted. This is how you protect yourself. This is where to get help. Everyone has a responsibility to make sure young people know this.”