Determinants of Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing among Addis Ababa University Undergraduate Final Year Students

Andarge, Abebaw (2008) Determinants of Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing among Addis Ababa University Undergraduate Final Year Students. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

HIV/AIDS has become the most devastating global epidemic the world has ever faced and 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. Thus, VCT for HIV is included as one of the strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention in HIV/AIDS policy, yet very little is known about what determines VCT services. This study attempts to identify determinants of Voluntary HIV counseling and testing among Addis Ababa University undergraduate final year Students. The study design was cross-sectional, including both quantitative and qualitative methods. Using multi-stage sampling technique comprising a total of 860 Students were selected. Quantitative data were collected through self administered questionnaire information on background characteristics of respondents, cognitive determinants and psychological and system related determinants. In addition, four focus group discussions were also conducted to generate the qualitative data required to substantiate the statistical finding. The collected data were edited, entered and cleaned with SPSS computer software. The data were summarized, analyzed and organized using tables and texts (descriptive) also used bivariate analysis to show the association between variables and binary logistic regression model used to show the impact of different determinants of VCT by controlling different confounders. The result of the study showed that students were found to be high knowledge of HIV AIDS transmission and prevention and all respondents heard about VCT, also most of the respondents non stigmatizing towards PLWHA and most of them favorable attitude towards VCT service. Thus, the prevalence of HIV testing was found to be 39.7%. The major finding in logistic regression model showed that marital status, childhood place of residence, life time sexual partner, perceived confidentiality of VCT service, willingness to take VCT before marriage, stigma and discrimination and attitude towards VCT were found the key determinants of practicing VCT. While, HIV testing was not determined by sex, religious affiliation and felling being at risk of HIV infection. Regarding intention to take VCT in the future the key determinants were identified as, marital status, number of lifetime sexual partner, willingness to take VCT before marriage, care for PLWHA and ever use of VCT in the past were found the determining factors while willingness to test in the future was not determined by sex, age, religious affiliation, childhood place of residence, felling being at risk of HIV infection and perceived confidentiality of VCT services. The results indicated that despite obstacles to VCT and issues surrounding HIV testing, further information, education and communication program and awareness raising with regard to HIV/AIDS and gradual scaling up of VCT service, encouraging marriage and reduce stigma and discrimination should be strengthened.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Tim Khabala
Date Deposited:	09 Aug 2018 09:39
Last Modified:	09 Aug 2018 09:39
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/8423

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