A study to determine the attitudes of women in the child bearing age towards voluntary HIV testing in lusaka urban.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the attitudes of women in the child bearing age toward voluntary HIV testing which is one of the prophylaxis measures in the transmission of HIV to unborn children. The study was descriptive in nature. Data was collected using a structured interview method from a sample of 50 women who came for services at the MCH unit of the health centre. The study revealed that there was high acceptance rate 37 (74%) of the women who were willing to have an HIV test. The main determinants for this acceptance was their concern for the future of their families i.e. that knowing their HIV status will help them plan for the future of their families. Fear of the stress due to positive HIV results was the main factor found to prevent women from Volunteering to have HIV testing. The following recommendation were made:- 1. Strategies to be developed to improve the acceptance rate for voluntary HIV testing especially in high risk groups. 2. Increase the accessibility/availability of HIV Counselling services to expel fears towards HIV testing. 3. Coordinate the activities on voluntary HIV testing. 4. Further work in this area to include larger sample studies of women from both urban and rural areas and women from different socio-economic, occupational and educational backgrounds.