Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of male adults regarding the uptake of HIV counselling and testing at Opuwo District, Kunene region in Namibia.
Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study that involves quantitative
methods was conducted.
Place and Duration of Study: Opuwo District, Kunene Region, The
data collection ran for one month.
Methodology: A total of 113 participants were posed with several
multiple-choice questions about specific areas: Knowledge of male adults about
HIV Counselling and Testing, Attitude towards HIV Testing Services among male
adults, and Practices of male adults to HIV Testing Services.
Results: In this study, it was found that 60% of the participants
were never tested for HIV, 86% of the participants indicated that men fear
stigma/ discrimination, while 62% indicated the fear of approaching testing
centres. The number of those who indicated an unwillingness or ignorance to use
condoms was 70%. Participants aged at least 18 years were significantly 3 times
more likely to undergo HIV testing than those who were aged less than 18 years
(OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.8-4.7; p < 0.001). Likewise, participants who had
sexual partners and had discussed with their partners on HIV testing were significantly
3.2 times more likely to undergo HIV test than those who had never discussed
(OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.3-8.1; p = 0.013). However, participants who had indulged
in sexual intercourse did not significantly differ in VCT uptake from those who
had never practised sexual intercourse (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.9-2.4; p = 0.168).
Conclusion: Fear of positive results, stigma and discrimination,
and confidentiality of test results from health workers, following the positive
results were reported as the main barrier to VCT uptake among men. This could
be due to that males are not fully involving themselves in HIV prevention
programs, making it hard for them to recognise the importance of knowing their
HIV status as compared to females.
Author
(s) Details
Sewako Thekla
Tjipundi
School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Namibia, Windhoek,
Namibia.
Taimi Amakali-Nauiseb
Department of Community & Mental Health Science, School of Nursing and
Public Health, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
Loide Nghifikwa
Department of Community & Mental Health Science, School of Nursing and
Public Health, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/dhrd/v6/4532
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