Factors Influencing Attitude of Artisans Towards Human Immunodeficiency Virus Voluntary Counselling and Testing (Vct1 Three Communities
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Faculty of Education Lagos State University
Abstract
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Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune-~eficiency
syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a global problem and its emergence has
introduced new dimensions to health care delivery worldwide. One of
these dimensions is voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). Young
people between ages 15 and 24 (n;;;77, mean;;;19 years) are at risk on
an unparalleled scale, and they account for more than fifty (50)
percent of all HIV infections throughout the world. A survey research
questionnaire mode up of four trajectories including sexual behaviour
scale, attitude towards voluntary counselling and testing scale,
attitude towards HIV/AIDS scale and knowledge of HIV/AIDS scale was
used in this study. The study made use of frequency counts, percentage
and regression analysis. The SPSS software was used to analyze the
data. The study indicates a fairly high knowledge level of HIV and the
result also shows that there is low uptake of HIV VCT among the
participants (34%). More females (65%), married (73%) and older
participants (96%) have screened for HIV. Majority of the participants
are sexually active (62%}. Findings show that sexual behaviour (8 :;;
0.530; t:;; 0.689; p > 0.05} and attitude to HIV (8:;; 0.691; t:;; 0.834; p >
0.05) of the three predictor variables were not strong predictors of
attitude of towards HIV voluntary counselling and testing. Knowledge
of HIV was the strongest or most potent predictor of attitude towards
HIV voluntary counselling and testing (8 = 4.907; t:;; 5.730; p < 0.0005}.
HIV voluntary counselling and testing {VCT), which is one area of
control and prevention of HIV/AIDS is yet to be fully harnessed in
Nigeria. Based on these findings, the study shows the need for strong
advocacy, enlightenment and community mobilization for improved
awareness and utilization of HIV VCT services. Local, community and
religious leaders, including youth leaders should be incorporated into
the drive to increase awareness and knowledge of HIV/AIDS
Keywords
B Philosophy (General), BF Psychology