scholarly journals Inequities in the utilization of HIV counseling and testing services among undergraduates in mainland China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihong Zhan ◽  
Guochen Fu ◽  
Lei Wu ◽  
Mingliang Pan ◽  
Yuli Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Behavioral Model ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Heterosexual Men ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Counseling And Testing ◽  
Hiv Counseling ◽  
Counseling And Testing

Abstract Background HIV counseling and testing (HCT) is provided free of charge on college campuses, but very few studies have examined whether HCT uptake is equitably distributed. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the relative importance of various determinants of HCT uptake among undergraduates in mainland China so as to assess and subsequently to suggest ways to eliminate inequities in its use, guided by the Andersen’s behavioral model. Methods A total of 10,665 eligible undergraduates were conveniently selected to complete an online survey. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with HCT utilization. Results Only 7.7% of undergraduates had utilized HCT services. HCT uptake was inequitably distributed, since it was mainly determined by predisposing and enabling factors rather than by need factors. Further analysis indicated that HCT uptake was significantly related to two need factors, one enabling factor and six predisposing factors. Those with a higher need [i.e., perceiving themselves to be at higher risk of acquiring HIV infection (AOR = 2.76, 95% CI:2.02–3.78) and engaging in condomless sex (AOR = 1.29, 95% CI:1.00–1.67)] and those with more resources [i.e., being knowledgeable of local AIDS service organization (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI:1.37–1.85)] were more likely to utilize HCT services. Compared to non-heterosexual men, non-heterosexual women (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI:0.37–0.72), heterosexual men (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI:0.33–0.57) and women (AOR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.24–0.41) were less likely to utilize HCT service. Furthermore, those with more knowledge (AOR = 0.80, 95% CI:0.69–0.94) and taking a positive attitude towards HCT services [i.e, expressing their willingness to utilize HCT services (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI:0.56–0.81) and having recognized the necessity to provide HTC services in the local university (AOR = 0.46, 95% CI:0.36–0.57)] were less likely to utilize HCT services. However, medical students (AOR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.15–1.56) and non-freshmen (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI:1.03–1.45) were more likely to utilize HCT services. Conclusions To increase HCT uptake and simultaneously reduce the remaining inequities, a comprehensive intervention should be continued to target non-heterosexual men and non- freshmen and those with a higher need for HCT services, conduct health education, improve the availability and accessibility of HIV testing services.

scholarly journals Examining Dementia Family Caregivers’ Forgone Care for General Practitioners and Medical Specialists during a COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3688
Author(s):  
Perla Werner ◽  
Aviad Tur-Sinai ◽  
Hanan AboJabel
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Behavioral Model ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Specialists

The present study aimed to assess dementia caregivers’ reports of the prevalence and correlates of forgone care regarding visits to a general practitioner (GP) and to a specialist during the COVID-19 lockdown in Israel, using Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Healthcare Utilization. A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted with 73 Israeli family caregivers of persons with dementia residing in the community (81% Jews, 86% female, mean age = 54). Overall, one out of two participants reported having to delay seeking needed help from a GP or a specialist for themselves, as well as for their relatives with dementia, during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Among the predisposing factor, education was associated with caregivers’ reports regarding forgone care for themselves as well as for their loved ones. Living with the care-receiver and income level were the enabling factors associated with forgone care for caregivers. Finally, feelings of burden were associated with caregivers’ forgone care and feelings of loneliness and perceptions of the care-receiver’s cognitive functioning were associated with care-receivers’ forgone care. Our findings show that it is essential that this population receive appropriate practical and emotional support at times of distress and crisis to enable them to continue with their caregiving role.

Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT): Knowledge, attitudes, hinderances, and practices of adults seeking treatment at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital on the spread of HIV in Northern Uganda. A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Assumpta Aduk ◽  
Isaac Malon Atama ◽  
Leonard Dayo ◽  
Cissy Namujuzi Kizza ◽  
Brian Musinguzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Regional Referral Hospital ◽  
Hiv Counseling And Testing ◽  
Hiv Counseling ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Counseling And Testing ◽  
Gulu District ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract Background: In 2011, Uganda had a national HIV prevalence of 6.7%. Between 2008 and 2009, there was an upsurge in HIV in Gulu District from 9.4% to 16.0% with Gulu Municipality at 22.1%. Similarly, in 2020, the prevalence of HIV in Gulu District persistently remained high at 14.0%, much higher than the national average at 6.0%.The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, hindrances, and practices on voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) and determine factors associated with VCT practices among adults seeking treatment at the outpatient department of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 384 participants. Simple random sampling was used to recruit participants. Knowledge and practices on VCT were determined using knowledge ratings and attitudes using a modified Likert scale. A questionnaire with an internal validity of Cronbach’s α=0.71 was used. Ethical approval was obtained, and SPSS was used for data analysis at univariate, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The most significant findings were that knowledge and attitude significantly affect VCT practices among adults in Gulu Hospital. Most participants had adequate knowledge (297/379, 78.4%), the most common source of VCT information was radio (236/372, 63.4%) and few from parents (30/372, 8.1%). 158/380(41.6%) had strongly positive attitudes however, 4/10(40.0%) believed knowing HIV status was not beneficial because of fear of stigma, 299/380(78.7%) had good practices,13/45(28.9%) did not undertake VCT due to ignorant on the importance, 9/45(20.0%) feared positive results, and 5/45(11.0%) for far-off service centers. Among those who discouraged others, 15/45 (83.0%) did it for no reason, while 2/45 (11.0%) believed it was a risky and painful process.Knowledge and attitude on VCT practices had an adjusted R square of 0.421, p<0.001. The independent predictors of VCT practices in a multivariable regression analysis was knowledge (β=0.478, t=10.374, p<0.001) and attitudes (β=0.257, t=5.570, p<0.001).Conclusion: Knowledge and attitudes significantly influenced VCT practices among adults attending outpatient services at Gulu Hospital. The independent determinants of VCT practices were knowledge and attitudes. However, HIV stigma, fear of positive results and divorce/separation were the most deterring factors on VCT practices among participants.

Willingness of antenatal care attendees towards voluntary HIV counseling and testing, Southern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 104-112
Author(s):  
Sintayehu Assefa ◽  
Dubale Dulla
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Hiv Counseling And Testing ◽  
Hiv Counseling ◽  
Counseling And Testing

Background: Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is an entry point for the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child and accessing VCT benefit from PMTCT services. Even though, some pregnant women clearly know the benefits /advantages of PMTCT services, they are not willing to test and access the services. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the willingness of pregnant women attending antenatal care towards VCT/PMTCT at Adare general hospital in southern Ethiopia. Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Hawassa Adare hospital, southern Ethiopia from February to April/2018. A total of 338 randomly selected pregnant women who were attending antenatal care clinic were included. Data was collected using structured and pretested questionnaire; entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 computer software. Important descriptive and logistic models were used for data analysis assuming statistical significance at p < 0.05. Result: A total of 338 mothers were interviewed with a response rate of 100%. The willingness towards voluntary HIV counseling and testing among study participants was 82.2%. Participants who attended primary and High school and above were 3.9 (AOR= 3.87, 95% CI- 1.705, 8.782) and 9.5 times (AOR 9.53 at 95% CI- 3.155, 28.76); those who had good knowledge about VCT/PMTCT were 3.47 times (AOR=3.47, 95% CI-1.721, 7.003); women who followed two to three ANC visit, were 5.1 times more likely have willingness towards VCT/PMTCT (AOR 5.11 at 95% CI -1.095, 23.81) more likely willing to be tested than their counterparts respectively. Conclusion: Willingness towards voluntary HIV counseling was encouraging however it needs advancement. Since boosted knowledge and awareness promote willingness to VCT/PMTCT uptakes, initiation of community-based information dissemination, increased quality of ANC service, and empowering women to be educated could be effective in order to promote high VCT and PMTCT program uptakes

scholarly journals Pemanfaatan Layanan Voluntary Conseling Testing (VCT) Di Puskesmas Jumpandang Baru Kota Makassar

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Nurfardiansyah Burhanuddin ◽  
Septiyanti Septiyanti
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Questionnaire Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Counseling And Testing ◽  
Hiv Counseling ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Change Behavior ◽  
Counseling And Testing

VCT (Volountary Counseling and Testing) is a combination of the HIV counseling and testing process. One of the features of this VCT service is not only in the counseling process, but also in the process of testing and test post. Besides aiming to help change behavior, also to prevent HIV transmission, improve the quality of life of PLWHA, which indeed affects the behavior of mothers to conduct or not VCT examination. This type of research was observational using the Cross Sectional approach. In this study, researchers will take data on both dependent and independent variables. The research design is by distributing questionnaires. The sample size was 61 respondents taken by accidental sampling. Data collection done by interview using a questionnaire. Data analyzed bivariate. The results showed that there was no relationship between knowledge (P = 0.113), Officer skills (p = 0.61), family support (p = 0.129), assurance of confidentiality (p = 0.61), facilities and infrastructure (p = 0.565 ) on the use of VCT services, but there is a relationship between attitudes (p = 0.01) on the use of VCT services. Keywords: VCT; knowledge; skill; suport; assurance of confidentiality; facilities and infrastructure; attitude ABSTRAK VCT (Volountary Counseling and Testing) merupakan gabungan dari proses konseling dan tes HIV. Salah satu keistimewaan dari layanan VCT ini tidak hanya pada proses konseling, tapi sampai pada proses tes dan pos tes. Selain bertujuan untuk membantu perubahan perilaku, juga guna mencegah penularan HIV, meningkatkankualitas hidup ODHA, yang memang memepengaruhi perilaku ibu untuk melakukan atau tidak pemeriksaan VCT.penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang memepengaruhi pemanfaatan layanan VCT di Puskesmas Jumpandang Baru Kota Makassar. Jenis penelitian ini adalah observasional dengan menggunakan metode pendekatan Cross Sectional.pada penelitian ini peneliti akan mengambil data variabel terikat maupun variabel bebas. Desain penelitian yaitu dengan membagikan kuisioner. Besar sampel sebanyak 61 responden yang diambil secara accidental sampling. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara menggunakan kuisioner. Data dianalisis secara bivariat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada hubungan antara pengetahuan (P=0,113),keterampilan Petugas (p=0,61), dukungan keluarga (p=0,129), jaminan kerahasiaan (p=0,61), sarana dan prasarana (p=0,565) terhadap pemanfaatan layanan VCT, namun terdapat hubungan antara sikap (p=0,01) terhdap pemanfaatan layaan VCT. Kata kunci: VCT; pengetahuan; keterampilan; dukungan; jaminan kerahasiaan; sarana dan prasarana; sikap

Age differences in attitudes toward safer sex practices in heterosexual men using an Australian Internet dating service

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Cheng ◽  
Kevin McGeechan ◽  
Deborah Bateson ◽  
Todd Ritter ◽  
Edith Weisberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Safer Sex ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Heterosexual Men ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Internet Dating ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Younger Men

Background This cross-sectional study investigated sexually transmissible infection (STI) knowledge, safer sex attitudes and behaviours of sexually active, heterosexual men using an Internet dating service, and explored factors associated with protective attitudes. Methods: An anonymous online survey was sent to men who had logged onto an Internet dating service within the previous year. Factors associated with discussing STIs before sex and condom use intention with a new partner were analysed. Results: In total, 2339 responses were analysed. Men had lower STI knowledge scores, lower use of condoms and greater beliefs that condoms reduced interest in sex as age increased. Younger men (aged 18–29 years) were more likely to report intentions of only having sex with a new partner if a condom was used compared with older men aged over 60 years. Predictors of having a discussion about STIs with a new partner were older age, better knowledge of STIs, greater distress at a potential diagnosis of an STI and stronger future condom use intention. Intention to only have sex with a new female partner if a condom was used was associated with higher STI knowledge, discussing STIs with a new partner and distress at a diagnosis of an STI. Men with a higher number of sexual partners in the last year were less likely to have an STI discussion with new partners or intend to use a condom with a new partner. Conclusions: Older Internet-dating, heterosexual men are vulnerable to STIs. Health promotion interventions to increase STI awareness, condom use and STI testing in older men are warranted.

Utilization rate and factors influencing the use of HIV counseling and testing services among young females: a community-based study from Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde Abiodun Amoo ◽  
David Magbagbeola Dairo ◽  
Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi ◽  
Semeeh Akinwale Omoleke
Keyword(s):  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Counseling And Testing ◽  
Hiv Counseling ◽  
Young Females ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Counseling And Testing ◽  
Two Factors

AbstractObjectivesThis study aims to explore the utilization rate and factors influencing the use of HCT services among young females in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria.MethodsThis study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 404 females, aged 15–24 years, residing in Ikorodu, Nigeria. Study tool was a questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed using the SPSS version 16 software.ResultsThe mean age (±SD) of the respondents was 19.3 (±2.6) years and 90.1% were single. Only 148 (36.6%) respondents had ever utilized the HCT service, of which only 40.5% of them were adolescents. Amongst those that had ever utilized HCT services (n=148), only 60.1% of them did so within 12 months prior to the study while only 33.8% of them initiated the demand for testing themselves. According to the respondents, the top two barriers to the utilization of HCT services were: fear of discrimination (82.9%); and fear of unavailability of access to treatment (68.0%), while the top two factors that facilitates its use were: the adoption of counseling-before-testing approach in the HCT service centers (85.9%); and peoples' need for HIV status declaration prior to getting a job employment/marriage partner (85.1%).ConclusionsThe study shows that utilization of HCT service remains low among the respondents. There is an urgent need to encourage the utilization of HCT services among young females in Ikorodu, Nigeria.

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