Factors Hindering Acceptance of HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) among Youth in Kwara State, Nigeria
), Jimoh A.A.G(2), Balogun O. R(3),
(1)
(2)
(3)
Corresponding Author
Abstract
HIV/AIDS has become a source of concern all over the world. The concern cannot be isolated from the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS on economic, social, political and technological development of any nation with a high prevalence rate Nigeria is one of the countries with HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of over 4%. Despite this challenge, the patronage of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is still very low. This study therefore examined the factors hindering the acceptance of VCT as expressed by youths in Kwara State. A total of 600 youths from the three Senatorial districts in the State were involved in the study. A survey instrument designed by the researchers was used to collect relevant information from the respondents. Among others, the study identified ignorance, poverty, inadequate number of VCT centres, stigma and discrimination as major factors responsible for the low patronage of VCT centres in Kwara State.
Gender and religion had no significant influence on the respondents’ views while place of residence had significant influence. The implications of the findings to medical practice and counseling were identified and discussed. (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 159-164).
Résumé
Facteurs qui entravent l’acceptation du Conseil et du Test Volontaire (CTV) pour dépister le VIH/SIDA chez la jeunesse dans l’état de Kwara, Nigéria. Le VIH/SIDA est devenu une source d’inquiétude partout dans le monde. On ne peut pas séparer cette inquiétude des effets dévastateurs du VIH/SIDA sur le développement social, politique et technologique de n’importe quel pays qui a un taux de prévalence élevé. Le Nigéria est un des pays qui ont un taux de prévalence de plus de 4%. Malgré ce défi, l’acceptation du CTV reste encore très peu élevée. Cette étude a donc examiné les facteurs qui entravent l’acceptation du CTV, d’après les jeunes gens dans l’état de Kwara. Une population totale de 600 jeunes gens de trois districts sénatoriaux dans l’état ont fait partie de l’étude. L’on s’est servi d’un instrument d’enquête façonné par des chercheurs pour collecter l’information de la part des interviewées. L’étude a identifié, entre autres, l’ignorance, la pauvreté , le nombre insuffisant des centres du CTV, la stigmatisation et la discrimination comme des facteurs responsables de la faible fréquentation des centres du CTV dans l’état de Kwara. Le genre et la religion n’avaient aucune influence considérable sur les opinions des répondants alors que le domicile n’avait pas d’influence significative. Nous avons identifié et discuté les implications de nos résultats sur la pratique médicale et sur le conseil (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 159-164).
Key words: Factors, hindering, acceptance, youths, HIV/AIDS, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT).
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