Knowledge and Attitude of People towards Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to explore the knowledge and attitude of people toward voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VHCT) in Ikot Edibon in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area. The design used was a descriptive survey design. The population of study consists of male and female from the area of study age 14-49 year. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the 3 unit for the study and same method was used to obtain the one hundred respondents. 16 items questionnaire were use to obtain the data which were analysed using frequency table and simple percentage. Finding revealed that 80% respondents agreed that they were aware of VHCT, 81% said they could not utilize VHCT due to stigma and discrimination, 65% agreed that VHCT help one to receive appropriate and immediate medical care, while 70% cited poor attitude of health workers and lack of confidentiality as their barrier. From the result above, it was recommended that public enlightenment, political commitment and support, availability, accessibility and confidentiality of services etc could encourage people to utilize the service.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes aids. HIV counselling and testing has been identified as the key entry point to prevention, care, treatment and support services. It is where people learn whether are affected and are helped to understand the implication of HIV infection and make an informed choice for the future. HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) is now acknowledged as an efficacious and pivoted strategy for both HIV and AIDS prevention and care (Pikard 2009).
According to united nation programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) (2016) nearly 12 million young people in the world (15-24 years of age) are living with HIV and AIDS and more than 7000 young people have become infected with HIV every day. Young have limited access to information and service.
In particular, young girls and young women are more biological vulnerable to HIV infection than matured women and men (UNAID/ Family International) (2004). According to Lyons, (2005) 60% of these young people are adolescents between 14-19 years.
Studies done both in developed and developing countries recognised adolescent friendly services such as Voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VHCT) as the best tool for educating adolescent about HIV and AIDS related risks. The majority of adolescent may be at risk of HIV infection due to their engagement in unsafe sex. Young people can also be at risk of HIV infection from unsafe infecting drug use exposure to contaminated blood product or unsterilized skin piercing procedures. In Africa alone, an estimated 1.7 million young are infected annually.
Adolescent are particularly vulnerable to HIV because of the strong influence of peer pressure and the developing of their sexual and social identities, which often lead to experimentation. As they are initiating sexual behaviour, counseling for safe practice is vital. They should be counselling to delay their sexual dept and practice abstinence (Lyons, 2005). The provision of HIV and AIDS related counselling services in Nsit Ubium started in 1994 3 years after the four AIDS cases were identified in Nsit Ubium.
At the beginning, these services were provided mainly by Faith Based Organization (FBOs) and Non-governmental Organization (NGOs) to clients who sought such services. Effort to establish voluntary counselling and testing in the public sector started 1996 after the Nsit Ubium Local Government AIDS project (AAP) started implementing its activities in Ikot Edibon village Nung Nko, Ekpuk Akpan Obio Iko, Nung Obio Ekong respectively prior to 1995, people who were diagnosed with AIDS or those tested HIV-positive were not informed of their test results. The main reasons for this being poor laboratory facilities in the country and subsequent inability to produce reliable test results, as well as the absence of the counselling culture in the health care system.
In 1999, the number of HIV services in the Local Government showed that those services were in high demand and recommended their expansion to all districts. In response to this, counselors were trained from 2000 to 2001. Since then VCT services have expanded gradually.
In October, 2014, the government of Nsit Ubium commenced a programme of providing the self-saving antiretroviral drugs to HIV/AIDS patient in which the target was to provide treatment with antiretroviral 100 patients by the end of 2008. However, accomplishment of this target had been slow, partly due to inadequate and slow identification of those who were HIV injected and eligible for treatment.
Surveillance reports produced by the Local AIDS Control Programme estimated that only about 25% of Nsit Ubium Local Government knows their HIV status many years, the client initiated voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) has been the main approach through which individuals know their HIV status. The approach has been quite useful in reinforcing HIV prevention especially in healthy people, but falls short of capturing important groups such as patients who presents to health care facilities with HIV-related condition.
As antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) were available and provided free, it became necessary to expand the model of HIV testing and counselling. In 2007, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare adopted the provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) in which health care practitioner would recommend HIV testing and counselling to persons attending health care facilities as parts of standard prevention, treatment, care and support services.
Knowledge and Attitude of People towards Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing
Recently, a Non-Governmental Organization known as Family Health Initiative (FHI) and other bodies have taken up the responsibility of free counselling and testing, hence the reason for this study is to know the level of knowledge of people and their attitude toward these services that are available.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Despite the critical importance of voluntary HIV counselling and testing, the people of Ikot Edibon in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area have been observed not to avail themselves of the health services. Although advance has been made in treating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the epidemic remains a critical public health issue and concern in all communities across the country and around the world. Also in spite of increased number of facilities offering Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VHCT) in Ikot Edibon Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, majority of people remain unaware of their status and despite decades of Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VHCT) implementation, additional research is needed to help in understanding the best approach for increasing the utilization of Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VHCT) and reduction of HIV related risk in the contest of Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VHCT). During the researcher’s critical experience at the health facilities in Ikot Edibon, it was noticed that majority of people do not utilize the service of Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VHCT) and that some patients go to the health centres for other health problems like pretest for marriage before they are tested for HIV positive patients. These issues prompted the researcher to explore the knowledge and the prevention of HIV among the people of Ikot Edibon, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
1.3 Specific Objectives
- To determine the awareness of the community members about Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VHCT) services in Ikot Edibon Village, Nsit Ubium L.G.A.
- To explore the community members perceived benefits associated with HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) services in Ikot Edibon Village, Nsit Ubium L.G.A.
- To explore members perceived barriers associated with HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) services in Ikot Edibon Village, Nsit Ubium L.G.A.
- To determine the attitude of the community members about Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VHCT) services in Ikot Edibon Village, Nsit Ubium L.G.A.
1.4 Delimitation/Scope of the Study
This study generates information on the attitude and perception of the community members towards the uptake of counselling and testing. This information will help the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its Implementing partners to design appropriate intervention for promoting voluntary HIV counselling and testing.
1.5 Research Questions
- To what extent is the population aware of the voluntary HIV counselling and testing services?
- What are the attitudes of community members towards HIV counselling and testing services?
- What are the community members perceived barriers associated with HIV counselling and testing services.
- What are the community perceived benefit associated with HIV counselling and testing services?
Knowledge and Attitude of People towards Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing