Factors influencing uptake of HIV test among civil servants in Tetu District, Nyeri county

Abstract

This study sought to establish factors that influence uptake of HIV test among Civil servants in Tetu district specifically the study looked at the influence of HIV/AIDs knowledge and awareness, access to testing site, model of HIV testing employed and pretest counseling on HIV test uptake. HIV Counseling and testing is the key to HIV management and universal access to treatment. Research has demonstrated that over 230,000 lives were saved by increased enrollment of HIV positive people to care and treatment. This number would have been even higher if every person was able to know his/her HIV status and by extension enroll to care and treatment early enough rather than when the epidemic is at AIDS stage.. The study employed descriptive survey design where questionnaire was administered to the respondents as a tool of study. The sampling method used in the study was stratified random sampling of civil servants from various government departments to achieve a sample size of 80 person. Data obtained was checked and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and the result presented using tables. Ethical issues were put into consideration through observation of guidelines spelt out by the university, seeking of consent and confidentiality of respondent. The study found out that, 89% of civil servants have ever tested for HIV/AIDs at least once, while 11% were never tested, 27% of civil servants had taken a HIV test at least 3 months prior to the study. The reason for not testing was 90 % fear of knowing the status and stigma from workmates while 10 % said it was not important. Most civil servants were Knowledgeable and aware of HIV/AIDS related issues attributable to training/seminars attended 77% and HIV/AIDs workplace policy 71% , however implementation of the HIV/AIDs policy is still low. Facility based model was know and utilized by majority of civil servants 97% and 72% respectively other model were averagely utilized with moonlight CT lowest at 17%. Most civil servants preferred testing within a health facility setting 64%. On Model of testing 69% strongly agreed that models of testing influences uptake of HIV testing, 8 percent agreed while only 11 percent disagreed. Testing site was easily accessible to civil servants with most testing site within 0 to 500 meter from the workplace 82%. Civil servants recommended that an ideal testing site should have integrated service easily accessible and should remain open after working hours. Majority of civil servants agreed that accessibility to testing site influences uptake of HIV/AIDS test. This study found out that 100% of civil servants tested were counseled during testing, 35 % strongly agreed that counseling influence uptake of HIV testing, 25% agreed while only 15% disagreed. In conclusion HIV/AIDs Knowledge and awareness is very high among civil servants uptake of HIV test is high although very few were tested at least 3 Months prior to the study. HIV/AIDs work place policy need to be fully implemented, there is need to intensify variant testing models such as mobile testing and self testing to adequately reach the population that does not utilize facility based testing. Testing site are within accessible distance to civil servants and pretest counseling is adequately employed to positively influence HIV uptake, more invention through use of leaflets at pretest counseling need to be employed to reduce counseling test time and achieve more HIV test uptake.