An assesement of knowledge and Perceived barriers to undergo voluntary Hiv counseling and testing
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Date
2007-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
The study was designed to assess the knowledge of young adults in Hossana
town on voluntary HIV counseling and testing services and perceived barriers
to undergo voluntary HIV counseling and testing. A descriptive survey method
was employed. A Stratified random sample of 350 young adults aged 15-49 was
selected, 50.3% of them male and 49.7% females and administered selfadministered
questionnaire. Apart from this, data were gathered from VCT
Counselors, HIV Secretariat office managers, Youth HIV Co-coordinators,
Anti-AIDS Club Co-coordinators, community leaders and HIV-positive young
adults using focus group discussion and face-to- face interview. Both
quantitative and qualitative procedures were used.
The finding showed that young adults in Hossana town have adequate
knowledge to undergo VCT and feeling that they need to undergo VCT when
they intend to be married and to go abroad, stigma and discrimination if they
are positive and lack of care and support for HIV infected were the major
barriers to undergo VCT.
Hence it is concluded that, even if young adults in Hossana have adequate
knowledge on VCT services, due to perceived barriers the majority did not
undergo VCT.
Depending on the results, sensitization of young adults to participate on VCT and
establishment of effective care and support system for the infected were
recommended.
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Keywords
HIV Counseling