scholarly journals Acceptance and utilization of HIV testing among the youth: a cross-sectional study in Techiman, Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-149
Author(s):  
Bernard YA Asare ◽  
Henrietta Y Yeboaa ◽  
Bismark Dwumfour-Asare

Background: In Ghana, efforts including ‘Know Your Status’ campaign have been made to increase awareness and improve the uptake of HIV screening. Objective: This study examined the acceptance and utilization of the HIV/AIDS ‘Know Your Status’ campaign and determine dthe differences in HIV testing by demographic characteristics among the youth in Techiman, Ghana. Method: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted among the youth aged 15-24 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 200 purposively selected respondents. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 19.6±2.72 years. There was a universal awareness (100%) of HIV/AIDs, and were knowledgeable about the mode of transmission, symptoms and the prevention of HIV. A high proportion of the respon- dents (n=161, 80.5%) had heard about the ‘Know Your Status’ (KYS) campaign. Less than half of respondents (n=91, 45.5%) had tested for HIV, and only 16.5% (n=15/91) of respondents tested through the KYS campaign. Testing for HIV was associ- ated with age (p<0.001) and marital status (p<0.001). Conclusion: The youth should therefore be targeted in the awareness and the ‘Know Your Status campaigns’, and in an effort- sto promote screening for HIV. Keywords: Awareness; campaign; knowledge; HIV/AIDS; know your status; screening.

Author(s):  
Azreen Abdullah ◽  
Adibah Hanim Ismail ◽  
Ching Siew Mooi

Introduction:HIV stigma refers to negative beliefs, feelings and attitudes towards people living with HIV (PLWH), groups associated with PLWH and other key populations at higher risk of HIV infection, such as people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people. Despite the advancement made in the knowledge and treatment of HIV, PLWH continues to be stigmatized.Objective: To determine the level of HIV stigma and its predictors among people living with HIV/AIDS in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among HIV/AIDS patients aged 18 and above at infectious disease clinic in Hospital Sungai Buloh, Gombak, Malaysia. HIV stigma was assessed using Berger’s HIV stigma scale, which is available in Bahasa Malaysia and English.A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine their demographic and clinical characteristics. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the predictors.Results: 526 subjects participated in this study. The mean age of the study population was 33.5± 8.4 years. The majority of the participants were male (90.9%) and contracted HIV through sexual activities (87.8%). The mean score of HIV stigma was 104.7 ± 19.5. Based on multiple linear regression analysis, patients who were unemployed (B = -8.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -12.12,-3.88, p = < 0.001) and being on antiretroviral treatment (B = 4.95, 95% (CI) = 0.30, 9.60, p = < 0.037) had higher level of HIV stigma.Conclusions: The level of HIV stigma was high (mean score =104.7 ± 19.5). HIV/AIDS patients who are unemployed and on antiretroviral agents were at risks of having higher level of HIV stigma. Future study is needed urgently to implement intervention that can minimize the stigmatization among patients with HIV/AIDS.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 04 No. 01 January’20 Page : 26-35


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Aravind Raj G V ◽  
Umashankar R

Background. Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypertension in a population of drivers in Chennai, India. Methods. The study population included drivers working in Chennai city. Blood pressure, height, and weight of subjects were measured, and relevance was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Results. Age varied from 30 to 60 years with the mean age of 43 years. Among 400 drivers studied, 33% of them were hypertensive and based on diastolic and systolic blood pressure, 15% of them were in pre-hypertensive and 28% of the were in stage -1 HTN and 31% of them were in stage-2 HTN. Obesity, Smoking, alcohol and history diabetes play a major risk factor the development of hypertension Conclusion. Prevalence of hypertension was high among drivers. Life style may play a key role in the development of hypertension along with duration of work and behavioral pattern.Prevention strategies need to be emphasized in this kind of occupational group.


Author(s):  
Tadesse Melaku ◽  
Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula ◽  
Yonas Getaye ◽  
Sewunet Admasu ◽  
Ramadan Alkalmi

This study aimed to compare the perceptions of pharmacy clerkship students and clinical preceptors of preceptors’ teaching behaviors at Gondar University. A cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacy clerkship students and preceptors during June 2014 and December 2015. A 52-item structured questionnaire was self-administered to 126 students and 23 preceptors. The responses are presented using descriptive statistics. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to test the significance of differences between students and preceptors. The response rate was 89.4% for students and 95.6% for preceptors. Statistically significant differences were observed in the responses regarding two of the five communication skills that were examined, six of the 26 clinical skills, and five of the 21 parameters involving feedback. The mean scores of preceptors (2.6/3) and students (1.9/3) regarding instructors’ ability to answer questions were found to be significantly different (P= 0.01). Students and preceptors gave mean scores of 1.9 and 2.8, respectively, to a question regarding preceptors’ application of appropriate up-to-date knowledge to individual patients (P= 0.00). Significant differences were also noted between students and instructors regarding the degree to which preceptors encouraged students to evaluate their own performance (P= 0.01). Discrepancies were noted between students and preceptors regarding preceptors’ teaching behaviors. Preceptors rated their teaching behaviors more highly than students did. Short-term training is warranted for preceptors to improve some aspects of their teaching skills.


Author(s):  
Aren Sinedeh Lemin ◽  
Md Mizanur Rahman ◽  
Cliffton Akoi Pangarah ◽  
Andrew Kiyu

Objective: Voluntary HIV testing is one of the key strategies in the HIV/AIDS prevention and control program. New National Strategic Plan for 2016-2030 in Malaysia, adapt three zeros viz. ‘zero new infections of HIV/AIDS, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths’. This study aimed to determine the predictors of voluntary HIV testing in Sarawak. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 900 respondents (450 males and 450 females) from the state of Sarawak, aged 18 years and above, who were selected by gender-stratified multistage cluster sampling. Data were obtained by face-to-face interview using a pretested questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine the potential predictors for voluntary HIV testing. Results: The prevalence of HIV testing was higher among female respondents (26%) compared to male respondents (14.2%), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that household income more than MYR 1501 (p = 0.009), not living with a partner (p < 0.001) and discussion on HIV/AIDS (p = 0.019) appeared to be predictors for the male respondents, while, ethnicity was statistically significant for female respondents (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The utilisation of HIV testing was low in both males and females. Thus, the finding of this study could be considered when designing HIV education and screening program in Sarawak.


1970 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zelalem Desalegn Waktole ◽  
Ameyu Godesso Roro ◽  
Lakew Abebe Gebretsadik

BACKGROUND: Since the first HIV/AIDS cases were reported in 1981, HIV has become one of the world’s most serious health and development challenges. Messages should be persuasive and appealing in order to bring the desired effect among the target group. This study aims to assess the factors associated with responses to HIV/AIDS prevention messages among university students.METHODS: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaire. A total of 710 Wollega University regular students drawn by multi-stage sampling were included. The data were summarized and organized with different descriptive measures and regression analysis using SPSS 16.0.RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-three (693), 429(61.9%) male and 264 (38.1%) female students were participated making a response rate of 97.6%. The mean age of the respondents was (21.27+ 1.703) (males = 21.60+1.618; females = 20.72+1.701). About 252(36.4%) of the respondents were sexually active, and the mean age of sexual initiation was (18.08+ 2.416), male (18.47+2.294), and female (17.43+2.491). Perceived severity, perceived self and response efficacy of abstinence significantly predicted the current practice of abstinence (R=0.304, adjR2 =0.087). Perceived self-efficacy of being faithful significantly predicted the current practice of being monogamous (R=0.218, adjR2 =0.042). Perceived self and response efficacy of condom use significantly predicted practice of consistent condom use (R=0.398, adjR2 =0.153).CONCLUSION: Perceived self and response efficacy more predicted HIV/AIDS prevention methods than other variables; so an intervention planned targeting those variables would be more successful on HIV/AIDS prevention in the university.


Author(s):  
Mahmoud Hassan Abdulrazzak ◽  
Abdul Hamid Alsahybi ◽  
Ali Assabri ◽  
Yousef Khader

Yemen has witnessed a significant rise in AIDS-related deaths because of very poor access to antiretroviral treatment and because of the current war situation. This study aimed to assess the attributes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reporting form, including usefulness, simplicity, flexibility, and acceptability, which is used for reporting HIV cases in Sana’a, Yemen. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 311 physicians from public and private health facilities in Sana’a city. Physicians were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to assess the form’s attributes. The mean score was calculated for each attribute and converted to percentages which were interpreted as very poor, poor, average, good, and excellent. The usefulness overall score was 76%, indicating average usefulness. Of the total participants, 283 (91%) and 304 (97.7%) stated that the form is clear and easy to fill, respectively. More than two-thirds (68.5%) of physicians stated that the form ensures the privacy of the customer’s identity. The simplicity attribute score was 74.5%, indicating average simplicity. The overall flexibility was 69.2%, indicating average flexibility. A total of 175 (56%) physicians indicated that they are completely satisfied with the reporting form. The acceptability score was 75.2%, indicating that the HIV/AIDS reporting form of HIV is average in acceptability. The HIV/AIDS reporting form in Yemen was scored average in usefulness, simplicity, flexibility, and acceptability. Training health workers on using the reporting form would improve the performance of HIV/AIDS reporting. Moreover, the reporting form could be adapted to be integrated with other surveillance such as tuberculosis surveillance.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chala Kene ◽  
Haweni Adugna ◽  
Kalkidan Lemessa ◽  
Leul Deribe

Abstract Background: Self-efficacy for HIV prevention is described as a person’s belief in his/her capacity to carry out necessary actions to perform a specific behavior for HIV prevention. This study aimed to assess level of HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy and associated factors among regular undergraduate students of Madda Walabu University, Southeast Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted from February 15 to 20, 2020. Four hundred forty-two study participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was entered to Epi Data version 4.6.0.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed and p value less than 0.05 was used to determine the level of significance. Result: The mean level of HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy among regular undergraduate students of Madda Walabu University was found to be 74.58+19.98. Being female [AOR=1.76(1.04-2.81)], in field of health science [AOR= 1.92(1.10-3.36)], second year of study [AOR=2.77(1.55-4.94)] and drinking alcohol [AOR=2.9(1.61- 5.23)] were found to be factors associated with higher HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy. Whereas, exposed to pornography [AOR=0.53(0.33-0.85)] was found to be factor associated with lower HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy.Conclusion: The mean HIV /AIDS preventive self-efficacy of the participants in this study area were found to be low. Sex, field and year of study, drinking alcohol and ever had watched pornography were factors found to be significantly associated with HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy. Staffs should be cooperative in educating their students to boost their self-efficacy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Vicent Ssekankya ◽  
Stanley Kamau Githaiga ◽  
Timothy Aleko ◽  
Esther Faith Munguciada ◽  
Vivian Patience Nabakka ◽  
...  

Background. HIV testing is an important step for entry and linkage into HIV care. Utilization of HIV testing services among transport workers may be challenging, because of the mobile nature of their jobs. We assessed utilization of HIV testing services and identified factors influencing the utilization of HIV testing services among motorcycle taxi (boda-boda) riders in Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District, Southwestern Uganda. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study among boda-boda riders, aged 18 years and above, from July 15 to July 29, 2020. We recruited participants through simple random sampling. Data were captured using a self-administered questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with utilization of HIV testing services. Results. Of the 315 participants who received questionnaires, 305 (97%) responded. The mean age of the participants was 32 (±7.1) years and ranged from 18 to 55 years. Of the 305 participants, 238 reported having taken an HIV test and received results in the past 12 months, for an HIV testing utilization rate of 78.0% (95% CI: 73.0–82.6%). In multivariable analysis, participants who were less likely to utilize HIV testing services were those aged ≥30 years ( aOR = 0.33 ; 95% CI: 0.16–0.70, P = 0.004 ) and those who had HIV-related stigma ( aOR = 0.27 ; 95% CI: 0.08–0.88, P = 0.030 ). Participants who were more likely to utilize HIV testing services were those who knew HIV status of their primary partners ( aOR = 4.23 ; 95% CI: 1.24–14.49, P = 0.022 ) and those who had good knowledge on HIV/AIDS ( aOR = 3.94 ; 95% CI: 1.65–9.41, P = 0.002 ). Conclusions. Utilization of HIV testing services among the boda-boda riders in Fort Portal Municipality, Southwestern Uganda, was high. More efforts should focus on targeting older boda-boda riders for HIV testing, reduction of HIV-related stigma, improving knowledge on HIV/AIDS, and encouraging communication and disclosure between partners, in order to consolidate the gains made in HIV testing services in this bridge population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-125
Author(s):  
Siti Maemun ◽  
Nina Mariana ◽  
Surya Otto Wijaya ◽  
Dina Oktavia ◽  
Vivi Lisdawati ◽  
...  

Latar belakang : Hipoalbuminemia pada pasien rawat inap berkaitan dengan prognosis buruk pasien. Penelitian ini, mengidentifikasi bahwa hipoalbuminemia berat pada awal pasien masuk rawat inap sebagai prediktor andalan penanda laboratorium dalam mortalitas. Metode : Sebuah studi cross sectional pada pasien dewasa dengan hipoalbuminemia (kadar albumin < 3,5 g / dL) pada pasien rawat inap (usia > 18 tahun) pada periode Januari 2013 - Maret 2018. Kami mengevaluasi penanda prediktor kematian. Multivariat dengan regresi logistik diterapkan dalam penelitian ini. Hasil : Dari 747 hipoalbuminemia pada pasien rawat inap dengan rata-rata kadar albumin  pada awal adalah 2,0 ± 0,6 g / dL. Sebagian besar pasien (83,4%) memiliki kadar albumin ≤ 2,5 g / dL (hipoalbuminemia berat), 16,6 persen memiliki > 2,5 g / dL (hipoalbuminemia ringan-sedang). Kondisi yang mendasari pasien adalah infeksi HIV / AIDS (26,9%) dan sepsis (26,6%). Proporsi multiple komorbiditas pada kelompok hipoalbuminemia berat adalah 55,1 persen Pada kelompok hipoalbuminemia berat terutama untuk kadar albumin 2,01 - 2,5 g / dL, angka mortalitas adalah 28,3 persen. Berdasarkan model regresi logistik akhir, faktor risiko kematian meliputi kadar albumin pada awal dan lama rawat pasien. Mortalitas lebih tinggi pada pasien dengan hipoalbuminemia berat (rasio odds yang disesuaikan 2,91, 95% CI 1,88-4,50) dibandingkan pasien dengan hipoalbuminemia ringan-sedang. Kesimpulan: Hipoalbuminemia berat pada awal pasien rawat inap sebagai prediktor penanda kematian di rumah sakit.  Kata kunci: hipoalbuminemia, pasien rawat inap, mortalitas   Abstract Background: Hypoalbuminemia in hospitalized patients has been associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we attempted to identify that severe hypoalbuminemia at baseline in hospitalized patients is a reliable predictor of laboratory marker for mortality. Methods: A cross sectional study on adults of hypoalbuminemia (albumin level < 3.5 g/dL) in hospitalized patients (aged > 18 years old) in period January 2013 - March 2018. We evaluated the predictor marker of mortality. Multivariate with the logistic regression was applied in this study. Results: Of the 747 hypoalbuminemia in hospitalized patients with the mean albumin level at baseline was 2.0 ± 0.6 g/dL. Most patients (83.4 %) had less than or equal to 2.5 g/dL albumin level (severe hypoalbuminemia), 16.6 percent had over 2.5 g/dL (mild-moderate hypoalbuminemia). The underlying condition of patients was HIV/AIDS infection (26.9%) and sepsis (26.6 %). The proportion of multiple comorbidities in the severe hypoalbuminemia group was 55.1percent. In the severe hypoalbuminemia group especially for 2.01 – 2.5 g/dL albumin level, the mortality rate was 28.3 percent. Based on the final logistic regression model, known risk factors of mortality include albumin level at baseline and length of stay. Mortality was higher among patients with severe hypoalbuminemia (adjusted odds ratio 2.91, 95 % CI 1.88-4.50) than patients with mild-moderate hypoalbuminemia. Conclusion: Severe hypoalbuminemia at baseline in the hospitalized patients was a predictor laboratorymarker of hospital mortality.  Keywords: hypoalbuminemia, hospitalized patients, mortality


Author(s):  
Bharat Meharda ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar Sharma ◽  
Mahesh Keswani ◽  
Rakesh Kumar Sharma

Background: People living in slums are often deprived of health-care facilities and it make them vulnerable to infection like HIV/AIDS. Health education and behavioural changes is pivotal for prevention of  HIV and HIV-related stigma.  Methods: It was community based cross sectional study carried among 288 slum dwellers of Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.Results: Out of 288 study subjects (male and females in the group of 15-54 years) 144 (50%) males and 144 (50%) females. Out of 288 study subjects 278 (96.53%) were heard about HIV/AIDS. Out of 249 study subject who were aware about condom, 107 (42.97%) study subjects [74 (56.06%) male and 33 (28.21%) female] were presently using of condom. out of 278 study subject who had ever heard about HIV/AIDS majority 215 (77.34%) subjects got the information regarding HIV/AIDS through TV/cinemaConclusions: Present study shows that the study subjects of slums at Ajmer has inadequate awareness regarding the HIV/AIDS and poor practice of condoms.


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