Impact of knowledge, attitudes and practices on voluntary testing centers regarding HIV in West district Zanzibar
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Date
2020
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The study assessed the impact of knowledge, attitudes and practices on Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centers regarding HIV in West District, Zanzibar. Mainly quantitative approach was employed with a sample size of 397. Open and closed ended questionnaire were administered to respondents covering a total of 397 sample size. For qualitative part of the study, interviews were carried out to complement with the data/ findings collected using quantitative approach. More than three quarters of the respondents were at the age between 20 and 30 years with more than two thirds being single and about one quarter married. Findings show that majority of the respondents had high levels of education with those who have tertiary education constituting more than three quarters followed by secondary education. There was almost a balance between rural and urban residents among the respondents. Respondents who ever attended VCT services were found to have more knowledge on HIV/AIDS compared to those who never attended. They know much about the meaning of HIV as well as how it is transmitted from one person to another and even possibility of HIV transmission from mother to child at various stages during child bearing. Regarding to attitudes towards HIV, research findings also revealed a significant difference between those who attended VCT and those who never attended VCT and those who never attended. Those who ever attended VCT had positive attitudes on caring and living with HIV infected person more than those who never attended. Also, they have negative attitudes towards having unsafe sexual intercourse including having sexual intercourse with many partners or having it without using protection like condoms. Knowledge on HIV/AIDS is meant to change the individual’s attitude which in turn is expected to shape the indivudual’s practice. Research finding shows that those individuals who ever received services from VCT centers have good practices regarding to HIV compared to those who never attended VCT. Individuals who ever attended VCT have tested for HIV at high frequency compared to those who never attended VCT. In addition to that, those individuals who ever VCT services are more cautious on having risk sexual intercourse, for example, having it while drunk or having it with someone who is drunk. Also, they use condoms much often when having sexual intercourse compared to those who never attended VCT.
Description
Available in print form, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, East Africana Collection. (THS EAF RA643.86.23K42)
Keywords
HIV intechous, Counselling, Testing, West domestic, Zanzibar
Citation
Khamis, M.A. (2020). Impact of knowledge, attitudes and practices on voluntary testing centers regarding HIV in West district Zanzibar. Masters dissertation. University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam