Patterns of Voluntary Counselling and Testing among Undergraduate University Students in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

It is critically important for individuals to learn about their HIV status and make informed decisions about their future. The study aimed at determining the patterns of voluntary counselling and testing among undergraduate university students in Lagos, Nigeria. The study was conducted in May 2010 among students recruited from seven faculties within two of the campuses of Lagos State University, Ojo and Ikeja campuses. A total of 200 respondents were recruited using systematic random sampling method and surveyed with the aid of structured questionnaire. A high percentage of respondents (54.0%) had not performed HIV counselling and testing before the survey interview. 54.1% and 53.8% of male and female respondents, respectively, had not performed HIV counselling and testing before the survey. The commonest reasons given for not doing HIV counselling and testing is that respondents are too busy which accounted for 35.1% of total respondents. Ahigh percentage of respondents (65.5%) are aware of location of HIV counselling and testing centre within their institution. Students are not particularly interested in HIV counselling despite the high awareness of availability of HIV counselling and testing centre located within their educational institution; they invest their time and interest more in academics.