Factors infuencing the use of voluntary counselling and testing by university students

Abstract

The study explored the factors influencing the use of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) by university students. This was done by undertaking an exploratory and descriptive qualitative study. Data were collected using focus group discussions (FGDs) and field notes. Thematic analysis was done. The study revealed several factors and challenges regarding the uptake of VCT services by university students. Among the factors are: knowing one’s HIV status, illness, pregnancy, blood donation, getting a reward, influence of significant others, media, awareness campaigns, compulsion, getting a job, curiosity, being positive role model, and the attitude of the health care provider. And among the challenges these include: HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, fear, low perception of risk to HIV infection, lack of student friendly VCT services, shortage of resources, inaccessibility of VCT services, long waiting period for test results, negative perceptions about VCT, pre-test counselling and ignorance.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, student, voluntary counselling and testing.