PERCEPTION, ATTITUDE AND WILLINGNESS OF CIVIL SERVANTS TOWARDS HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SECRETARIAT IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

Voluntary participation in HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) could be increased if the various factors that hinder its involvement by people are identified and subsequently addressed. There is an increased incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Oyo State. Consequently, a study on the perception, attitude and willingness of the masses on HCT will be useful in addressing the menace of HIV/AIDS in Oyo State because the study will assess their perception, attitude and willingness towards HIV Counseling and Testing. The study was descriptive cross-sectional survey that used a four-stage sampling technique to select 262 civil servants in the Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan. A pretested semi-structured self-administered questionnaire which contained a 12–point perception scale, 10–point attitude scale, 10–point willingness scale, questions relating to perception, attitude and willingness of civil servant towards HIV counseling and testing. Perception scores 0–6 and 7-12were categorised as poor and good perception, respectively, Attitude scores 0-5 and 6-10 were categorised as poor and good attitude, respectively and willingness scores 0-5and 6-10were categorised as low and high willingness respectively. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at p=0.05. Age of respondents was 36.9 ± 8.2 years, 51.9% were females and 87.4% were married. Less than half (31.8%) of the civil servants had good perceptions while 68.1% poor perception. About 53.1% had good attitudes while 46.9% had poor attitudes. Majority (86.1%) of the respondents’ willingness to participate in HCT is high while13.9% of the respondents’ willingness is low. Analysis of the significant relationship between perception, attitude and willingness of civil servants who underwent HIV Counseling and Testing, and those who did not in the Ministry of Education, Secretariat, Ibadan showed that there was a significant difference. Factors that deter the willingness of civil servants participating in HCT included perceived cost of HCT(86.0%), safety (90.8%), attitude of caregivers (86.3%), family members’ support (74.8%), and government health policies (90.8%). The respondents’ perception, attitude and willingness on HIV counseling and testing were fair. Confidentiality of the testing settings and attitude of the health workers are the main factors preventing people from participating. Therefore, trainings to promote good attitude among health workers should be put in place and civil servant should be carried along in the planning of HIV counseling and testing centre.