Knowledge, Attitude towards Practicing of Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing and The Determinants of VCT Uptake: A Case Study in Debrebirhan Teachers Training College
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Date
2007-01
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Addis Abeba university
Abstract
HIV/AIDS is highly affecting the young and economically active segment of the
population. Effective behavioral change communication (BCC) strategies need to be
designed to rescue the future development force of the nation. Determination of the
knowledge and attitude underlying the safe and unsafe behavior is instrumental in
facilitating the behavioral change by keeping the leverage of efforts focused to the
relevant areas. This study therefore, assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of
Debre-Birhan Teachers Training College Students about Voluntary HIV Counselling and
Testing.
Data on knowledge, attitude, and practice of voluntary counselling, and testing, and
socio-demographic variables like age, sex ….etc of students were collected using a
structured self administered Amharic version questionnaire. Prior to data collection
mass and individual consent was obtained after thorough explanations of the procedure.
The data were cleaned, edited and entered into a computer and analyzed by the binary
logistic regression model and chi-square one-at-a time association with the application
of SPSS for windows version 13.0. A number of potential variables for inclusion in the
binary and multivariate analyses are identified. Statistical tests at 0.05 level of
significance were employed wherever appropriate. The study showed that overall 192
(82.40%) of the respondents have good knowledge and over 168 (75.68%) have favorable
attitude towards Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VCT). Almost 82 (35.19%) of
the respondents have taken VCT practically. The majority of respondents 214 (91.85%)
did not perceive themselves at risk of HIV infection even if they are indulged in unsafe
sexual practice. This paper also seeks to identify the major determinants/factors that
motivates students to voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) and to examine how
these determinants are associated with VC. The results suggest that Attitude towards
VCT, knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention, knowledge of VCT are the only
important factors significantly affecting student’s practice of HIV testing (VCT) whereas
perceived confidentiality of VCT service and site consider as a barrier in VCT uptake of
students
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Keywords
HIV Counseling