Utilization of HIV Counseling and Testing Service and predictors of intention to use it among Teachers of Harari Region
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Date
2009-07
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: The HIV/AIDS pandemic remains one of the global health problems ever faced by
mankind including Ethiopia. Cognizant of the problem, various interventions have been made
among which HIV counseling and testing (HCT) is one of crucial intervention package in the
country.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the utilization of HCT and predictors of intention to use it
among teachers of Harari Region.
Methods: A cross sectional study design with analytic component was conducted among 566
teachers drawn from 20 selected schools of Harari Region from March to April 2009. Socio-
demographic and other important data was collected using self administered questionnaire
developed based on the theory of planned behavior. The data were entered and analyzed using
SPSS version 16.0 statistical package. Logistic and multiple linear regressions were used to
identify association among variables and assess predictors of utilization & intention to use HCT
service. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
Result: about half (46.3%) of the study population were tested for HIV. The odds of having
tested for HIV increased with being female and age below 35 years. The result of multiple linear
regression analysis indicate that subjective norm (β=.31, p<0.001), perceived behavior control
(β=.25, p<0.001) and attitude toward using HCT service (β=.19, p<0.001) were found to be the
predictors of intended use of HCT service. The addition of perceived susceptibility increase the
explained variance marginally by about 6 %( p<0.05).
Conclusion and Recommendation: Large proportion of teachers in the region has been tested
for HIV. The TPB variables were found to be significant predictors of intended use of HCT with
subjective norm being the strongest followed by perceived behavioral control and attitude toward
the use of HCT. when planning any program targeting increase uptake of HCT service among
teachers, particular attention should be paid on their referents and changing their perception of
control in order to strengthen their intention to use HCT service.
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Keywords
HIV Counseling , Testing Service