Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Voluntary Counseling and Testing Service among University Students, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Voluntary testing and counseling (VCT) is the process by which an individual undergoes confidential counseling, to enable the individual arrive at an informed choice with respect of learning his or her HIV status and advice on taking the appropriate action. It is vitally important and one of the national strategy to control HIV/AIDS epidemics in the general population and is internationally acknowledged as essential strategy for HIV prevention and entry point to HIV/ AIDS care. HIV/AIDS is a disease which affects the human immune system caused by infection with human immune deficiency virus. According to Ministry of Health, in Ethiopia the highest prevalence of HIV is seen in the age group 15-24 years. Objective: This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards HIV voluntary testing and counseling among undergraduate at the Wachemo University, southern Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted at Wachemo University from February 10 to February 30/2018.Multistage sampling method was used to enroll students from different faculties. Main outcome measures included level of knowledge, attitude and practice of VCT for HIV. Results: A total of 623 students participated in the study yields the response rate of 100%. The majority, (91.2%) of respondents were heard about voluntary counseling and testing of HIV. More than half, (63.0%) of the students disagreed that voluntary counseling and testing of HIV service in the campus is not functional and not giving service appropriately. The majorities, (93.4%) of the study participants were knowledgeable about voluntary testing and counseling of HIV; and 491 (78.8%) of the study participants had positive attitude towards voluntary testing and counseling of HIV.  However, only one thirds (36.7%) of the respondents had practiced voluntary testing and counseling of HIV. Conclusion: Despite high knowledge and favorable attitude towards VCT, more than half of the respondents (63.3%) don’t experienced HIV test, for the following reason: Fear of positive result (32.4%), stigmatization (15.9%), while (30.7%) being sure of not having HIV.