Authors : A.I. Olugbenga-Bello , O.A. Amusan , E.A. Oladele and O.A. Olaogun
Abstract: The provision of voluntary counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS is central to HIV/AIDS control programme; it provides the scope for individuals to make informed and independent decisions to find out their HIV status and it is a critical component in influencing behaviour and preventing further transmission. This descriptive cross sectional survey was done among adolescents aged 15-25 years in Alekuwodo, an urban settlement in Osogbo Osun state. Respondents (373) were interviewed, using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Two-thirds of respondents had up to secondary education. Awareness of VCCT was less than that of HIV/AIDS as only 64.4% of respondents heard of VCCT, compared to 97.9% of the respondents who had heard of HIV/AIDS. The electronic media is the major source of information. However, 7.1% of all respondents who heard of HIV/AIDS and about a tenth of those that have had sex had done VCCT. Furthermore, 6.4% of those who had heard of VCCT claimed not to be in support due to fear, high cost and doubt of confidentiality. There was no statistically significant association between awareness of and uptake of VCCT. The study showed a low level of VCCT uptake despite high sex-related risk behavior among the youth. Massive education should be embarked upon emphasizing the simplicity, affordability and confidentiality of the test.
A.I. Olugbenga-Bello , O.A. Amusan , E.A. Oladele and O.A. Olaogun , 2008. Knowledge, Attitude and Uptake of Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT) for HIV/AIDS Among Young Adults in an Urban Settlement in Southwest Nigeria. The Social Sciences, 3: 442-447.