Community Perception of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) in Dodowa Sub-District, Dangme West District, Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Introduction According to UNAIDS/WHO (2007) every day, over 6800 persons become infected with HIV and over 5700 persons die from AIDS globally, mostly because of inadequate access to HIV prevention and treatment services. In Ghana, compared with other African countries the HIV prevalence is low (2.7%), knowledge about the disease is high, and in 2007 the HIV and AIDS infected population was estimated at 312,030. The Ghana National AIDS/STI Control Programme provides treatment, care and support services as well as vital surveillance data. Dodowa as the district capital of the Dangme West District has no hospital nor HIV/AIDS facility but a long history of referring suspected AIDS patients to other district hospitals near by. Since the new facility was established early in 2008, patronage had been very poor and factors affecting this problem have not been fully investigated. Objectives The general objective of the study was to examine community perception of VCT and how this influences utilization of VCT services. Methods This was a cross sectional and descriptive study. It employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. Structured questionnaires were administered to a total of 200 males and females aged 15 years and above in 20 communities. The qualitative aspect of the study was carried out using In-depth interviews (IDIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs),

Non Participant Observation and Exit Interview. Quantitative data was processed and analyzed using EPIINFO version 3.41 software. Descriptive statistics were run as well as test for association such as chi-square and logistic regression. For qualitative data, recorded interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed manually. Results A total of 200 respondents made up of 90 males (45%) and 110 females (55%) participated in the quantitative aspect of the study. In the qualitative aspect of the study, four FGDs were done two female groups and two male groups with a maximum of eight in a group. Ten IDIs were also done. All the respondents interviewed had heard of HIV/AIDS. Regarding sources of information over eighty percent (89.5%) got the information from television programs. Knowledge on VCT was high as majority of respondents (83%) had heard about VCT. More than half of the respondents 88(53.0%) who had heard of VCT said they did not know VCT services were being offered in the Dodowa Health Centre. The young females who knew about the VCT services in Dodowa showed concern about the attitude of the nurses and would rather access VCT services outside the Dodowa sub-District. The majority (82.5%) mentioned that those diagnosed with HIV should be kept in isolation.

Conclusion In spite of the level of awareness most of the respondents were not ready to do the HIV test due to fear of positive results and perception about VCT in general as it was perceived as psychological and emotional trauma when HIV status is ascertained. Moreover, awareness of VCT facilities was low (53%), this has affected patronage of the facilities. Recommendation Intensive education must be done in the communities to explain the importance of HIV test. Community members should be made aware of the new VCT facility created for an integrated health service. Community members should be assured of privacy and confidentiality during VCT session. The health staff should be educated on how to keep confidential information to themselves and respect the privacy of the individual. Community sensitization should be intensified by the District Health Management Team (DHMT) in collaboration with the District Assembly.