Determining the Utilization of HIV-Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services in Lower Nuimi District of The Gambia

Objective: Despite increasing awareness on the benefits and importance of VCT-services as an entry point to all HIV/AIDS services, not many people in The Gambia had actually took the opportunity to know their HIV status as current national VCT uptake is at 38%. Therefore, the objective of this study was to provide an insight to factors which determine utilization of HIV voluntary counseling and testing in Lower Nuimi district of The Gambia.
Method: A face to face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire in Lower Nuimi district of The Gambia. Data was collected from July to August 2011 using convenient sampling for all the 220 respondents in the district. SPSS version 18 was used for data analysis. Independent simple t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square test and Pearson correlation analyses were used to examine the study hypothesis while logistic regression analysis was used to determine the variables which predicts VCT service utilization. Approval to conduct the study was granted by The Gambia Government through the Director of Health Services.
Results: The average total knowledge percentage score of the respondents was found to be 83% 83% while the mean score of the respondent’s attitude was found to be neutral (mean = 3.19) on the 5 point likert scale. However, only 33% of the total respondents had actually utilized VCT services. The respondent’s age, marital status and occupation were found to be statistically significant towards knowledge and VCT service utilization respectively. Occupation and religion had significant difference with attitude towards VCT services respectively. The respondent’s knowledge and attitude had significant relationship with VCT service utilization respectively. However, knowledge of the respondents did not correlate with their attitude.
Conclusion: Respondent’s age, marital status and occupation had statistically significant associations towards VCT service utilization. Overall, the study observed a high level of knowledge and neutral attitude towards VCT services. However, VCT practice was found to be low which corroborates those of previous studies in similar population groups. Regression analysis revealed that the respondents “knowledge on VCT services” (knowledge factor 1) and “knowledge on VCT service locations and HIV screening” (knowledge factor 2) both predicted VCT service utilization by 2 and 3 folds respectively. “Fear and stigma associated with HIV screening and infection” (attitude factor 1) predicted VCT service utilization about 1fold. This therefore, explains that having good knowledge and favorable attitude towards HIV testing services does not always translate to its utilization.