COMMUNITY AND HEALTH FACILITY-RELATED FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE UTILIZATION OF VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING AMONG YOUTH AT KAKUMIRO HEALTH CENTRE IV, KAKUMIRO DISTRICT. A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

The utilization of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services is essential for early detection and management of HIV/AIDS, particularly among youth, a demographic at high risk of infection. Despite efforts to increase accessibility, the uptake of VCT services remains low in many communities. Various factors within the community and healthcare settings can influence youth engagement with these services. This study aims to determine community and health facility factors that influence the utilization of voluntary counseling and testing among youth at Kakumiro Health Centre IV, Kakumiro District.

 Methodology

The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design that employed quantitative data collection methods. A simple random sampling method selected a sample size of 30 respondents. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, and results were analyzed and presented in tables, graphs, and pie charts using Microsoft Excel 2016. 

 Results

Community-related factors were; 56.7% reported that HIV patients are stigmatized in communities, 46.7% reported that their cultural leaders were unbothered about VCT utilization and 43.3% were discouraged by friends from utilizing VCT services. Health facility-related factors were; 56.7% were not advised by health workers to use VCT services, 60% reported that health workers did not keep health secretes and 73.3% reported that the distance to health facility was long. 

 Conclusion

The study concluded that community-related factors and health facility-related factors were negatively influencing the utilization of VCT services.

 Recommendation

Stigmatization and isolation of HIV-positive patients should be avoided to reduce on fears youth have towards VCT services.