Determinant of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Utilization among Youth in Jijiga Town, Ethiopia
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Date
2005-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Although VCT service is increasingly available in Ethiopia, there is still great
reluctance for youth to be tested. There are several possible contributing
factors that must be addressed if VCT is to have an important role in HIV
prevention and care.
The study was conducted from August 2003 to May 2004 to identify factors
influencing use of VCT service among 15-24 years old age group in Jijiga
town using quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection.
The study design is unmatched case-control, where the cases are HIV tested
and controls are untested youth. A total of 242 tested and 484 untested youth
were included in the study. Of all the socio-demographic and sexual history
variables, being female, older youth, educational level of secondary and
above grade and sexually active youth were more likely to be tested [AOR
(95% CI)=1.52(1.03,2.23)], [AOR (95% CI)=1.93 (1.30,2.87)],[AOR (95%
CI)=2.29 (1.03,5.11)], [AOR (95% CI)=2.23(1.42,3.52)], respectively. The
main reason for VCT utilization was to know self (61.6%) and have not had
HIV test yet because they afraid to get the result.
Based on the finding, advocating HIV VCT with proper IEC activities through
mass media and peer education for youth in general and male, illiterate,
young and not sexually active youth in particular need to be addressed by
involving all stakeholders and using local resources, improving training,
testing equipment, condom promotion, STI treatment, supervision, referral
system, feedback and network are recommended.
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Keywords
VCT service