Knowledge, attitudes and practices of voluntary counselling and testing for HIV among university students

Ernestina S. Donkor

School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

E-mail: tinadonkor@yahoo.co.uk

Accepted 21 June, 2012

Abstract

One of the major components in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS that has been recognised globally is voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes and practices of VCT for HIV among university students. Data were gathered through the administration of questionnaires to 100 participants who were selected through quota and convenience sampling; and were analysed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. The findings showed that most of the participants (81%) had heard about VCT and the information was obtained mostly through the mass media followed by health personnel and friends/peers. A few of the respondents (23%) had undergone VCT, and out of this 9% had it as a requirement for visa, blood donation and employment. Most of the participants held the view that individuals who undergo VCT could be viewed as being promiscuous or HIV positive. The findings of this study have implications for nursing by way of intensifying education on VCT, and establishing more centres that are accessible.

Keywords: Attitude, knowledge, practices, university students, voluntary counselling and testing.