Factors influencing the utilization of Voluntary Counselling and Testing services among university students in Kenya.

Rose W Mwangi,Jane Ngure,Peter Ngure,Moses Thiga

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v6n4p84

Abstract

Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is recognized as a critical component of effective HIV prevention initiative and has therefore been promoted nationally and within universities in Kenya. Upon successful counselling and testing those found to be HIV negative are informed to take the necessary measures to protect themselves while the infected are advised to start the required medication. This study examined the attitudes toward VCT services among university students in four Kenyan universities. 980 students filled self administered questionnaires. Results showed that 38.5% of the subjects had tested for HIV in the last 12 months and students (55.8%) felt less susceptible to HIV infection. Findings from a factor analysis revealed that the intention to seek the services was associated with five attitude subscales that were ranked as follows (i) people’s and personal concerns, (ii) friends concerns, (iii) value of testing, (iv) confidentiality and support, and (v) perceived susceptibility. The first three items are associated with stigma which was evidenced in the subjects’ report that admitting that one should test for HIV would imply that one has engaged in immoral behaviour. Secondly, subjects felt that their friends would look down on them if they tested for HIV. Knowing the students’ attitudes will therefore assist in the development of appropriate VCT interventions that will promote HIV testing and behaviour change.

Highlights

Testing for HIV antibodies is an important component of prevention and intervention programmes designed to curb the spread of HIV infection, especially in Kenya which has the highest national HIV prevalence in any country outside South Africa (NACC & NASCOP, 2012)
This study examined the attitudes toward Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services among university students in four Kenyan universities. 980 students filled self administered questionnaires
Considering that the young people in Kenya are at risk of contracting HIV virus and the fact that universities are reported to constitute a potentially fertile breeding ground for the virus, it is important for university students to know their HIV status

Summary

Introduction

Testing for HIV antibodies is an important component of prevention and intervention programmes designed to curb the spread of HIV infection, especially in Kenya which has the highest national HIV prevalence in any country outside South Africa (NACC & NASCOP, 2012). The 1.6 million Kenyans living with HIV in 2011 represented almost four-fold increase over the 400,000 people living with HIV in 1990 (NACC & NASCOP, 2012). More than 91,000 Kenyan adults became HIV infected in 2011 (NACC & NASCOP, 2012). It is estimated that the number of people infected with HIV in Kenya will continue to increase and may approach 1.8 million by 2015 (NACC & NASCOP, 2012). The HIV pandemic in Kenya is complex as it continues to evolve among different populations, which makes it difficult to predict. Young adults between ages 15 to 35 represent 38% of the national population but are believed to make up more than 60% of new HIV infections in Kenya. The HIV virus is mainly transmitted through heterosexual intercourse that accounts for 77% of all new infections (NACC, 2009; NACC & NASCOP, 2012)

Methods

Results

Conclusion