Background: Determinants of HIV testing can be affected at both individual and community levels but most studies
in Ethiopia did not assume any clustering effect hence the estimates will often be biased.
Methods: Given the hierarchical nature of the survey population, that is; Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey
(EDHS2011), multilevel modeling approach was used.
Results: About 4.07% (6.68%) of the total variation on ever being tested for HIV was attributable to region-level
factors and 17.27% (18.45%) was attributable to cluster level factors among men (women) respectively.
Conclusion: Random effects are useful for modeling intra-cluster correlation; that is, observations in the same
cluster were correlated because they share common cluster-level random effects. This study hence will help to notify
national efforts targeting on specific population who mostly under-utilized HIV testing services as well as to identify
key geographic areas for further investigation. In line with this, the strengthening of the health programs on advocating
the benefits of HIV testing through mass media, integrating family planning services with HIV testing, concentrating on
both men and women in the age groups of 20 to 34 years old, targeting on Somali region and Nuwer ethnic group while
designing services would greatly improve the proportion of HIV testing. Moreover, efficient distribution of health care
facilities offering HIV testing services among women urban and rural areas residents are required.