Awareness, utilization and attitude towards voluntary counseling and HIV testing among school youths in same district

Emanuel Mkene* and Edmund J. Kayombo

Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University of health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: Ekayombo@live.com, edmundkayombo@yahoo.com

Accepted 09 October, 2013

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess awareness, utilization and attitude towards VCT services in secondary school pupils.Descriptive cross sectional study was carried in 2007 in secondary schools of Kambeni division, Tanzania. The study population was ordinary and advanced level secondary school pupils. A total of 330 respondents participated in this study. Of these 51.2% were males and 48.8% were females; majority being in age group of 17-20 years (57.3%).Out of 330 pupils interviewed 312(96.2%) and 95.2% were aware and importance of VCT service for HIV/AIDS respectively. Radio, teachers, parents and relatives were the main sources of information on VCT service. Out of 330 respondents, only 20% used for VCT service and the rest feared of being HIV positive and hence be rejected by the relatives. It is very likely many pupils in secondary schools are aware of VCT services but are not using this service. One of the main reasons is lack VCT quality service providers and persuasive skills that will attract many youths to use VCT services. Effort is required to find experts of VCT service with background of youths’ psychology and improve health infrastructure with a private room for VCT services

Keywords: Tanzania, Voluntary counseling and testing, youths, awareness, confidentiality