Perceived barriers to undergo voluntary Hiv counseling and testing among Bahir Dar university students
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2006-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
This study was carried out among 410 Bahir Dar University students. Its
major purpose was to identify the significant perceived barriers of
university students to undergo voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT).
As a subsidiary objective, knowledge of the study participants about VCT
and their attitude towards the service were explored. To collect data from
the respondents, a stn.lctured questionnaire that comprised of knowledge,
attitude and perceived barrier items was administered. To supplement the
quantitative data gathered through the questionnaire, focus group
discussion was held with 48 samples. Percentage, t-text and Chi-square
were used to analyze the quantitative data. Information obtained from
focus group discussion was summarized qualitatively.
Results indicated that students' knowledge about VCT was generally high
and their attitude towards the service was positive. The important barriers
among the study population to undergo VCT were-fear of a positive test
result and its associated outcomes: stigma and discrimination,
hopelessness, worry and stress; lack of care and support services for
people who test positive; family reluctance to accept a positive result, and
lack of support and encouragement in campuses to undergo VCT. Based
on the findings, recommendations were made.
Description
Keywords
Education