| dc.description.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. | en_US |
