Low knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) service sites and implications for testing among Ugandans

Abstract

Despite the continued enormous financial investment, through both local and donor funding into human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and care services in Uganda, the prevalence and incidence rates are raising. Knowledge of HIV determines both uptake of HIV prevention services and behavioural change. We assessed knowledge of HIV service sites and testing benefits among Ugandans at community level. Adult participants (n = 5320) were randomly selected for the study. Participants were asked to mention the: (1) nearest facility providing HIV services and estimate its distance from their household and (2) benefits of HIV testing that they knew. Twelve percent had no knowledge of any HIV service site accessible to them, while only 4.4% knew at least 50% of eight benefits of HIV testing, 35% of those without any idea of the benefits of HIV testing did not know HIV service sources. Knowledge of HIV service sources was dependent on age, level of education and marital status with teenagers being least knowledgeable. Many Ugandans neither know the benefits of HIV testing nor the HIV service facilities available for them with teenagers (15 to 19 years olds) being least informed on where to seek HIV service. Specific methods of relaying HIV prevention messages to the teenagers are required in Uganda. Key words: Knowledge, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) service sites, HIV testing benefits, Uganda.