Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Among Undergraduate Students at Kampala International University Ishaka, Uganda

Byaruhanga Gonzalez

Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University Western Campus Ishaka, Uganda

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to understand university students’ attitudes towards HIV testing and their perceived susceptibility to the virus. It was conducted at Kampala International University Ishaka, Uganda, using a quantitative cross-sectional approach. The study included undergraduate students who were available at the time of data collection and willing to participate. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, and the data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Word version 2019. The findings revealed that age and marital status are critical factors in determining whether a student has tested for HIV and is willing to test for HIV in the future. Unmarried students were more likely to have taken an HIV test, while knowing where to get tested and being a Christian enhanced the likelihood of having one. The majority of students reported receiving AIDS information from both print and electronic media, but only a handful from their parents. The majority of respondents correctly identified one or more modes of HIV transmission, with half of the participants identifying more than two pathways. The study found that 78% of respondents were aware of HIV prevention, including condom use, abstaining from casual sex, avoiding sharing of sharp items, and being faithful to a partner. They were also well-informed about HIV/AIDS management procedure. All respondents were aware of checking their HIV status and 82% knew where to obtain VDT services. Primary sources of HIV information were school (99.1%), mass media (78.8%), friends (56.6%), health workers (23.3%), and parents (4%). Public media, both print and electronic, played an important role in providing HIV/AIDS information to study participants. The study recommends university administrators and officials to actively contribute to HIV education and prevention measures on their campuses, equip private university students, particularly females, to test for HIV regularly, and encourage new students to undergo HIV testing.

Key Words: HIV, undergraduate students, Testing, Transmission, AIDS, Uganda.

CITE AS: Byaruhanga Gonzalez (2024). Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Among Undergraduate Students at Kampala International University Ishaka, Uganda. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES 3(1):43-53.