Clients' Perception of HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCt) Services in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Objective: To assess clients' perception of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services in Nairobi, Kenya. Methodology and results: Data was collected through self administered client exit questionnaires given to willing participants after going through the VCT centre and receiving the services. The questionnaires were developed and supplied by NASCOP. Convenient sampling of the questionnaires was done and only those completed between May and August 2003 were purposively selected. A sample size of 110 was achieved from available client exit interview forms. Data analysis involved generating frequencies and cross tabulations among the variables that addressed perception disaggregated by gender. Regardless of gender, the clients' perception under the key thematic areas scored over 90%. Conclusion and application of findings: The findings of the survey underscored the professional manner with which NASCOP implemented the recruitment, training and supervision of VCT counselors. It also confirmed that there has been thorough vetting of potential VCT sites prior to registration, to ensure they meet the minimum set standards for accreditation. While significant progress has been made in developing the monitoring and evaluation systems in health care in Kenya, the challenge of satisfying the ever changing needs of clients persists. The NASCOP client exit interview questionnaire was a good tool for collecting immediate feedback on clients from VCT clients. However, some modifications are required to address some inherent limitations of the questionnaire, e.g. it did not disaggregate responses by important variables that could have informed the survey better.