Background: The entry point to prevention, treatment and control measure of HIV infection is Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT). Objective of Study: This study sought to assess the level of awareness, attitude and preception of VCT among women of reproductive age group in passo community, Abuja, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Between 1st May to 31st July of 2017, interviewer-based questionares was used to assess the socio-demographic data, knowledge of VCT, perception and attitude towards utilization of VCT and factors affecting VCT utilization. The community was d ivided into three (3) settlements, each having fifty (50) households, from which one respondent was randomly selected for the study. Results: Seventy (46.7%) of the 150 respondents were aware of VCT; sixty two (62) were not aware and have no knowledge of VCT. There is a significant associtaion between occupation and level of education (p<0.05) and knowledge of VCT. There is no significant associacation between marital status, age and the level of awarenes of VCT (p>0.05). Ninety persent of the respondents believed VCT is usefull in preventing mother to child transmission of HIV, 116(89.9%) believed its useful to those preparing for marriage, 112 (86.8%) believed VCT is necessary for pregnant women, whil 102 (79.1%) believed VCT is useful to those who need to know their HIV status. Respondents believed that stigmatization and discrimination (87.3%), attitude of health workers administering VCT (78.7%), location of VCT center (76.7%), and doubt about clients'confidentiality (63.3%) are the leading factors affecting VCT utilization. Conclusion: Despite favourable attitude towards VCT by study respondents, majority of them were not aware of VCT. In consideration to factors that may limit VCT utilization by people, it's recommended that mass education of utilization of VCT using appropriate physiological approach be considered by health workers and policy makers.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.