Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV among Rural Dwellers in Kogi State

Download Article


Authors : Okebugwu Andrew Nwachimere-eze

Abstract:

One of the indispensible components in the war against HIV/AIDS is the voluntary counseling and testing and this has acquired global recognition. This study was done to ascertain the knowledge, attitudes and practices of VCT among rural dwellers in Kogi State Nigeria. Data were obtained through questionnaires administered to 250 participants who were selected through quota and convenience sampling and were analyzed manually. Finding shows that the awareness of VCT in this area is 79% with the highest source of information as mass media (79%). 52% agreed to receive VCT if offered.. 14% have accessed VCT services before this study.

References:

[1.] Alemayehu B (2010). Knowledge attitude and practice of voluntary counseling testing for HIV among university students, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. MEJS 2(1):108-118.

[2.] Cartoux M, Msellati P, Meda N, Welffans-Ekra C, Mandelbrot L, Leroy V, Van de Perre P, Dabis F (1998). Attitude of pregnant women towards HIV testing is Abidjan, Cote d'ivoire and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. AIDs, 12(17):2337-2344.

[3.] Charles MP, Kweka EJ, Mahande AM, Barongo LR, Shekalaghe MJ (2009). Evaluation of uptake and attitude to voluntary counseling and testing among health care professional students in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. BMC Public Health, 9:128 doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-128.

[4.] Denison JA, Lungu N,Dunnet-Dagg WA, McCanley M, Sweat MD(2006). Social relationships and adolescents HIV counseling and testing decisions in Zambia. Horizons Research Summary. Washington DC Population council

[5.] GHS (2009) Annual Report 2009: National AIDS/STI control programme Ghana Med.J.42 ():8-15

[6.] Holmes CN, Preko PO, Bolds R, Baidoo J, Jolly PE (2008). Acceptance of voluntary counseling testing and treatment for HIV among pregnant women in Kumasi, Ghana.

[7.] Ikechebelu IJ, The knowledge, attitude and practice of voluntary counseling and testing for HIV AIDS among undergraduates in a polytechnic in south east Nigeria . Niger J. med.2006 Jul- Sept;15(3):245-9

[8.] Kalichman SC, Simbayi LC, (2003). HIV testing attitudes, AIDS stigma and voluntary HIV counseling and testing in a black township in Cape Town South Africa. Sex Transm Infect 2003,79:442-447,doi:10.1136/sti.79.6.442

[9.] Manirankuda L, Lovs J, Alo TA, Colevinders R, Nostlinger C (2009l. "It is better not to know". Perceived barriers to HIV voluntary counseling and testing among sub-Saharan migrant in Belgium. Aids Educ. And Prevention, 21(6):582-593

[10.]   Morin SF, Khumale Sekutuwa G, Charlebois ED, Routh J, Fritz K, Lane T, Vaki T, Fiamma A, Coates TJ (2006). Removing barriers to knowing HIV status: same day HIV testing in Zimbabwe. Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome, 41 (2):218-224.

[11.]   NACP/GHS (2010) Behavioural surveillance survey 2006. Adults quarterly Technical Bulletin on HIV/AIDS -STIs in Ghana.17 (4):1-12.