| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 8-14 |
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Knowledge and utilization of HIV counseling and testing services among students of a tertiary institution in Abia State, South East Nigeria
Ugochukwu U Onyeonoro1, Obiageli F Emelumadu2, Abali Chuku3, Okezie O Kanu4, Uzo E Ebenebe2, Nkiru Onwukwe5, Chidinma Uwakeme5, Emmanuel Ndukwe5
1 Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
2 Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria
3 Department of Opthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
4 Department of Neurosurgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
5 Abia State University, Aba Campus, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Ugochukwu U Onyeonoro
Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2321-9157 .135743
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Introduction: In Nigeria, despite increasing availability HIV counseling and testing (HCT) services, uptake of HCT among youths has remained significantly low. Although, youths are at greater risk of HIV infection many of them do not access HCT services. Consequently, this study is aimed at ascertaining knowledge and level of uptake of HCT services among students in tertiary institution in South East Nigeria. Methodology: The study is a cross-sectional, descriptive survey involving a total of 312 students selected by multi-staged sampling technique. Responses were elicited from them using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire on bio-data, knowledge of HCT, desire for HIV testing, risk perception, access and utilization of HCT services. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Findings: Analysis of the data showed that 184 (59%) of the students were aware of HCT, with a slightly greater male preponderance than females. Common sources of information on HCT were media (49.5%), friends (25.0%), and health worker (20.7%). Majority (78%) of them desired to be desired for HIV; however, only 138 (44.2%) had ever been tested for HIV, among which 86 (62%) were tested voluntarily. Most common reasons for testing for HIV were, to know their status (51.4%), admission into school (17%), blood transfusion (9%) and during illness (7%). Common reasons for not desiring to be tested were - not aware of any HCT center (37.1%), fear of test result (22.9%), distance (8.6%) and stigma (8.6%). One hundred and ninety-three (62%) students felt that they have a high chance of acquiring HIV infection. Conclusion: Despite high awareness and desire to be tested for HIV, uptake of HCT services remains low among students in tertiary institution, therefore adoption of youth-friendly approaches will improve uptake of HIV testing among them. |
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