Abstract
BackgroundVoluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) forms one of the cornerstones of HIV prevention strategies. It is imperative to understand HIV testing correlates and their theoretical underpinnings in order to promote VCT uptake. The aim of this study was to predict the intention to VCT and associated factors among health professionals in Jimma zone, Ethiopia using the theory of planned behavior.MethodsAn institution based cross-sectional quantitative study among a sample of 336 health professionals in 12 selected districts of Jimma, Ethiopia was conducted in 2012. The constructs and principles of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) were measured. Data were collected using structured questionnaire on self administered basis. A multivariable linear regression model was used to predict the role of independent variables/TPB constructs on the intention to use VCT using SPSS version 16.0.ResultsThe components of TPB independently explained the variance in intention to VCT by 30.3%. Both components of TPB and socio-demographic characteristic in the final model explained 32.7% of variance in the intention to use VCT services. Significant proportions (33.0%) of the respondents have never been tested for HIV. The respective indirect components of the TPB predicted the direct components. The strongest predictors of intention to VCT were subjective norm (β=0.39, p<0.001) and attitude (β= 0.19, p<0.001) whereas, none of the socio-demographic variables were significantly predicted the intention to use VCT. Past VCT experience did not have significant statistical association with VCT use intention.ConclusionsBehavioral intention to use VCT was a function of attitude and perceived social pressure. Demographic related social determinants were not barriers for VCT use intention. Most health workers test their blood by themselves. Strategies to empower health professionals on social pressure resistance and programs targeted at changing negative attitude on VCT use can enhance intention of health professionals to use VCT.
Highlights
Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) forms one of the cornerstones of HIV prevention strategies
There for the aim of this study was to predict the intention VCT use and associated factors among health professionals in Jimma zone, Ethiopia using the theory of planned behavior
Most health workers test their blood by themselves which may indicate the existence of fear of disclosure of HIV status and high perceived risk of HIV infection
Summary
Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) forms one of the cornerstones of HIV prevention strategies. It is imperative to understand HIV testing correlates and their theoretical underpinnings in order to promote VCT uptake. At the end of 2010, an estimated 34 million people were living with HIV. The number of people dying of AIDS-related causes was 1.8 million and there were 2.7 million new HIV infections. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most heavily affected by HIV. About 68% of all people living with HIV resided in sub-Saharan Africa which accounted for 70% of new HIV infections. The epidemic was most severe in southern Africa, which has more people living with HIV (an estimated 5.6 million) than any other country in the world [1]. With an estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV, Ethiopia has one of the largest populations of HIV-infected people in the world in 2009. The estimated national incidence rates as inferred from prevalence data to be (1.7%) and (0.46%) for towns and rural areas respectively [3,4]
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