Factors contributing to home-based acceptability of rapid testing for HIV infection among the inner city commuter population in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background: The study aimed to determine factors contributing to the acceptability of home-based HIV counselling and testing (HBHCT) among commuters in Johannesburg inner city. Methods: Simple random sampling was used to select participants in a venue based intercept survey at Noord Street taxi rank in Johannesburg central business district. A total of 1146 individuals were interviewed and logistic regression analysis assessed factors associated with HBHCT acceptability. Results: HBHCTacceptabilitywas 64%. Home testingwas preferred as an alternative to testing at a health facility. High school education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.61, CI 0.46-0.85), inner city residence aOR 0.70, CI 0.52-0.94), previous HIV testing in the hospital (aOR 0.22, CI 0.15-0.32) and at home (aOR 0.18, CI 0.11-0.27) were significantly less likely associated with HBHCT acceptability. Being married (aOR 1.64, CI 1.15-2.32), recent HIV testing (aOR 1.85, CI 1.15-2.99) and having experienced negative health worker attitude (aOR 2.41, CI 1.66-3.48) were significantly more likely associated with HBHCT acceptability. Conclusions: High acceptability of HBHCT among urban-based commuters plus factors that would deter HBHCT acceptability were identified. Further research to identify strategies to improve HBHCT acceptability among commuter populations is needed.