Article Sidebar

Download
PDF

Main Article Content

Abstract


ABSTRACT
Background. Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) are the entry point for HIV/AIDS prevention and control for many community-based intervention programs.  These VCT services are usually provided by Health care facilities. This study aims to assess the uptake of testing as a result of community-based intervention programs in a Nigerian rural community. Methodology. Quantitative survey that using a structured questionnaire among a sample of the general population aged 15 – 49 years. Demographic data (age, sex, education, occupation, marital status) and information related to HIV testing were sought. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Results. There were more male’s respondents (53.3%, baseline and 54.2%, post-intervention survey). The level of awareness of the availability of VCT services increased from 65.1% and 63.8% in males and females at the baseline survey to 89% and 87% in the post-intervention survey. The willingness to have HIV tests was relatively high in both surveys. overall, 16.1% have been tested in the baseline survey, this increased to 32.4% due to the intervention program. Before the interventions, the majority of the villagers were willing to do an HIV test because they only wanted to know their status and some just to reduce fear and anxiety. Intervention changes these perceptions as respondents in the intervention arm were willing to take up the test for marriage purposes and to know their status. Those that were unwilling to get testes were either not at risk or did not see any benefit in knowing their HIV status. The case was different after the intervention because the majority have been tested while there was a drastic decline in the number of those who think they were not at risk. Conclusion. This study found that the community-based health intervention in Bonny Island significantly contributed to the improved knowledge of VCT, willingness to get tested, and HIV testing uptake. More intervention programs towards the prevention of the spread of HIV in Nigeria is advocated.
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. Le counselling et le test volontaires (CTV) sont le point d'entrée pour la prévention et le contrôle du VIH / SIDA dans de nombreux programmes d'intervention à base communautaire. Ces services sont généralement fournis par les établissements de santé. Le but de cette étude était d’évaluer l'utilisation des tests à la suite des programmes d'intervention à base communautaire dans une communauté rurale nigériane. Méthodologie. Il s'agissait d'une enquête quantitative qui a utilisé un questionnaire structuré auprès d'un échantillon de la population âgée de 15 à 49 ans. Nous avons recueilli des informations démographiques (âge, sexe, éducation, profession, état matrimonial) et des informations relatives au dépistage du VIH. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de SPSS 25.0. Résultats. nous avons interrogé plus d’hommes (53,3%, base et 54,2%, enquête post-intervention) que de femmes. Le niveau de sensibilisation à la disponibilité des services de CTV est passé de 65,1% chez les hommes et 63,8% chez les femmes à 89% et 87% respectivement après l’intervention. La volonté de subir des tests de dépistage du VIH était relativement élevée dans les deux enquêtes. Dans l'ensemble 16,1% de sujets ont été testés avant intervention, et 32,4% après. Avant intervention, les motifs du dépistage étaient la connaissance du statut ou la réduction de la peur et l'anxiété. Après l'intervention les motifs étaient le désir de mariage et la connaissance du statut. Ceux qui refusaient le test n'étaient pas à risque ou ne voyaient aucun avantage à connaître leur statut VIH. Après l'intervention, la majorité d'entre eux ont été testés alors qu'il y avait une baisse du nombre de ceux qui pensaient qu'ils n'étaient pas à risque. Conclusion. L'intervention de santé communautaire à Bonny Island a contribué à l'amélioration des connaissances sur le CTV, la volonté de se faire tester et l'adoption du dépistage du VIH. Davantage de programmes d'intervention visant à prévenir la propagation du VIH au Nigéria sont préconisés.

Keywords

HIV Testing Intervention HIV treatment Prevention

Article Details

Author Biographies

Ali Onoja, Department, African Health Project, Abuja, Nigeria

Technical Lead

Sheila Onoja, African Health Project, Abuja, Nigeria

Programs Coordination Department

Imam Adamu, African Health Project, Abuja, Nigeria

Field Operations Department

Olaiya Paul Abiodun, AXIOS International, Utako, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

Department of National Integrated Specimen Referral Network

John Shaibu, Department, African Health Project, Abuja

Monitoring and Evaluation Department
How to Cite
Onoja, A., Onoja, S., Sanni, F., Adamu, I., Abiodun, O. P., & Shaibu, J. (2020). Uptake of HIV Testing: Assessing the Impact of a Community-Based Intervention in Rural Nigeria. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 21(6). https://doi.org/10.5281/hsd.v21i6.1994
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX

References

  1. Avert. HIV testing programmes Barriers to HIV testing uptake [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Apr 13]. p. 1–20. Available from: https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-programming/testing
  2. UNAIDS. 90-90-90 An ambitious treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2020 Apr 13]. Available from: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2017/90-90-90.
  3. UNAIDS. AIDSinfo [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Apr 13]. Available from: http://aidsinfo.unaids.org/.
  4. UNIAIDS. Ending AIDS: progress towards the 90–90–90 targets [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Apr 13]. Available from: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2017/20170720_Global_AIDS_update_2017.
  5. WHO. Knowing Your Status – Then and Now Table of. World Heal Organ [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Apr 13];(December). Available from: https://www.who.int/hiv/pub/vct/who-unitaid-know-your-hiv-status/en/.
  6. Kawichai S, Celentano D, Srithanaviboonchai K, Wichajarn M, Pancharoen K, Chariyalertsak C, et al. NIMH project accept (HPTN 043) HIV/AIDS community mobilization (CM) to promote mobile HIV voluntary counseling and testing (MVCT) in rural communities in northern thailand: Modifications by experience. AIDS Behav. 2012;16(5):1227–37.
  7. UNAIDS. 2015-Prevention Gap Report. 2016;76–80. Available from: http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2016-prevention-gap-report_en.pdf
  8. Tobin-West CI, Onyekwere VN. Human immunodeficiency virus screening in rural communities of Rivers State, Nigeria: Challenges and potential solutions. Ann Afr Med. 2014;13(4):161–8.
  9. Musheke M, Ntalasha H, Gari S, McKenzie O, Bond V, Martin-Hilber A, et al. A systematic review of qualitative findings on factors enabling and deterring uptake of HIV testing in Sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2013;13(1):1. Available from: BMC Public Health.
  10. Keith Branham D, Borders TF, Stewart KE, Curran GM, Booth BM. Acceptability of HIV Testing Sites Among Rural and Urban African Americans Who Use Cocaine. AIDS Behav. 2017;21(2):576–86.
  11. NACA. National HIV strategy for adolescents and young people 2016-2020. Natl Agency Control AIDS [Internet]. 2016;58. Available from: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---ilo_aids/documents/legaldocument/wcms_532857.pdf
  12. NACA. National Strategic Framework,2018. Policy Doc [Internet]. 2018; Available from: https://www.childrenandaids.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/NATIONAL-HIV-AND-AIDS-STRATEGIC-FRAMEWORK.pdf
  13. Kautako-Kiambi M, Ekila MB, Kama-Lemba S, Wumba R, Aloni MN. Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV in Rural Area of Democratic Republic of the Congo: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Survey among Service Users. J Trop Med. 2015;2015.
  15. Kautako-Kiambi M, Ekila MB, Kama-Lemba S, Wumba R, Aloni MN. Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV in Rural Area of Democratic Republic of the Congo: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Survey among Service Users. J Trop Med. 2015;2015.
  16. Tun W, Vu L, Dirisu O, Sekoni A, Shoyemi E, Njab J, et al. Uptake of HIV self-testing and linkage to treatment among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria: A pilot programme using key opinion leaders to reach MSM. J Int AIDS Soc. 2018;21(2016):e25124.
  17. Zhang T, Zhang J, Gao M, He N, Detels R. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of voluntary HIV counselling and testing among rural migrants in central China: A cross-sectional study. Eur J Public Health. 2012;22(2):192–7.
  18. Commonwealth Regional Health Community Secretariat. HIV / AIDS Voluntary Counselling and Testing; Review of Policies, Programmes and Guidelines in East, Central and Southern Africa, Arusha Tanzania. 2002;1–46. Available from: http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/vct/toolkit/components/policy/review_of_policies_programmes_and_guidelines.pdf
  19. UNAIDS. UNAIDS Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee calls for HIV testing revolution | UNAIDS [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Apr 13]. Available from: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2017/april/20170413_STAC
  20. UNAIDS. Data 2017. Program HIV/AIDS [Internet]. 2017;1–248. Available from: http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/20170720_Data_book_2017_en.pdf
  21. Avert. HIV and AIDS in Nigeria | Avert [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Apr 13]. Available from: https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/nigeria.
  22. NBS. Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2016-17, Survey Findings Report [Internet]. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (2017). 2017. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/NG_publications_mics_201617.pdf
  23. FMoH. Federal Ministry of Health [Internet]. Federal Ministry of Health. 2017 [cited 2020 Apr 13]. Available from: http://www.health.gov.ng/index.php/component/content/article/78-featured/450-health-minister-advocates-hiv-aids-self-test.
  24. Aniebue PN, Aniebue UU. Voluntary Counseling and Willingness to Screen among Nigerian Long Distance Truck Drivers. Niger Med J. 2011;52(1):49–54.
  25. Abiodun O, Sotunsa J, Ani F, Jaiyesimi E. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and predictors of uptake of HIV counseling and testing among undergraduate students of a privately owned university in Nigeria. BMC Res Notes. 2014;7(1):1–8.
  26. Ohl ME, Perencevich E. Frequency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in urban vs. rural areas of the United States: Results from a nationally-representative sample. BMC Public Health. 2011;11.
  27. Tekletsadik E, Fantahun M, Shaweno D. Is community conversation associated with human immunodeficiency virus voluntary counseling and testing service uptake in rural communities in Ethiopia? A comparative cross-sectional study. N Am J Med Sci. 2014;6(2):77–83.
  28. Tabana H. Uptake of HIV Testing : Assessing the impact of a Home-Based intervention in rural South Africa. Vol. 12, PLoS medicine. 2013. 1525–1534 p.
  29. Teklehaimanot HD, Teklehaimanot A, Yohannes M, Biratu D. Factors influencing the uptake of voluntary HIV counseling and testing in rural Ethiopia: A cross sectional study. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2016;16(1):1–13. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2918-z
  30. Hanf M, Bousser V, Parriault MC, Van-Melle A, Nouvellet ML, Adriouch L, et al. Knowledge of free voluntary HIV testing centres and willingness to do a test among migrants in Cayenne, French Guiana. AIDS Care - Psychol Socio-Medical Asp AIDS/HIV. 2011;23(4):476–85.