Mesfin Abebe ^1* Yordanos Sisay Asgedom ² Amanuel Yosef Gebrekidan ³ Yohannes Addisu Wondimagegene ⁴ Habtamu Endashaw Hareru ⁴ Tsion Mulat Tebeje ⁴

• ¹ Department of Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Science, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
• ² Department of Epidemiology, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
• ³ School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Ethiopia
• ⁴ School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Science, Dilla University, Dilla, SNNPR, Ethiopia

HIV remains a significant global health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. Knowing one's HIV status is crucial for combating HIV/AIDS and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Despite ongoing efforts, HIV testing coverage remains low in developing countries, including Tanzania, where testing among young people poses particular challenges. This study, based on the 2022 Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey, aims to identify the factors influencing HIV testing among young women through Anderson's Behavioral Model. We analyzed a weighted sample of 5,810 young women from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). Given the hierarchical structure of the DHS data and the binary nature of the outcome variable 'ever tested for HIV,' we employed a multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model. In the multivariable analysis, we calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of associations between various predictors and HIV testing. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value of less than 0.05. The prevalence of HIV testing among young women was 60.18% (95% CI: 58.91% to 61.43%). Significant factors associated with HIV testing included age (AOR = 4.33, 95% CI [3.43, 5.45]), marital status (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI [1.76, 3.04]), knowledge of HIV prevention (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.23, 2.04]), discriminatory attitudes towards HIV (AOR = 0.74, 95% CI [0.58, 0.95]), visiting healthcare facilities (AOR = 4.80, 95% CI [3.75, 6.14]), media exposure (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI [1.09, 1.90]), internet use (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.02, 2.38]), and ever heard of STIs (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI [1.63, 2.77]). Our study found that 60.18% of young women in Tanzania have been tested for HIV. Addressing barriers like stigma and improving access to healthcare and information through media and the internet can significantly boost HIV testing rates among young women, aiding the global effort to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The Anderson Behavioral Model emphasizes the importance of predisposing, enabling, and need factors in healthcare utilization, which aligns with our findings and underscores the necessity of a multifaceted approach to improve HIV testing rates.