Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV among University Students, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

A Bayray

doi:10.4314/mejs.v2i1.49657

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia with a view of suggesting measures for increased up takes in University students. Institution based cross-sectional study design was used. Respondents were selected by simple random sampling method. A total of 425 students were included. The data was collected from April 1-10, 2008 by trained health workers using a self administered structured questionnaire which was adopted from Behavioral survey surveillance (BSS). A total of 413 students participated (with the response rate of 97%). In which 145 (35.1%) accounted for females. Their age ranged from 18-30, with the median age of 20. Majority 145(35.1%) of the respondents preferred the VCT service to be given in youth clubs followed by Government Institutions 105(25.4%).The female respondents were found to have a significant association to accept VCT for HIV with the OR=1.95(1.27,2.99). In this study females were more knowledgeable and willing to VCT for HIV than that of the males. Still cost of VCT matters, in which the respondents prefer to be tested at youth clubs and Government hospitals. Therefore, both sexes should have to be empowered to accept VCT for HIV through peer initiated VCT services at all levels of care including in Universities. Key words: VCT, Knowledge, Behavior, Practice

Highlights

Almost three quarters (72%) of all adult and child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2005 have occurred due to AIDS (EDHS, 2005)
Among the respondents about 35.1% preferred the voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) service to be given in youth clubs followed by 25.4% who preferred Government Institutions (Table 2)
Many of them prioritized the primary importance of VCT for HIV, and 251(59.6%) agreed for every body to have the test followed by all adults 49(11.6%), (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Almost three quarters (72%) of all adult and child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2005 have occurred due to AIDS (EDHS, 2005). The devastating effect of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia has become more and more visible with time, and the life expectancy is estimated to have fallen from 50 years to 42 years. Today 42% of the hospital beds in the country are estimated to be occupied by AIDS patients, draining the scarce resources allocated to the health sector. According to EDHS 2005, 14% of adults (15-49 years) were reported infected with HIV in 2005 though its prevalence among adult men had been only 0.9%. Infection levels are found to be higher in urban areas (5.5% among adults) compared to rural areas (0.7%) (EDHS, 2006). Number of people living with HIV has increased in every region in the world

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Discussion

Conclusion