Attitude Of Undergraduate Students Towards Hiv Voluntary Counseling And Testing
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Attitude Of Undergraduate Students Towards Hiv Voluntary Counseling And Testing
Chapter one
1.0 Background of the Study
According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, there are currently 39.4 million individuals living with HIV globally, with 4.9 million new instances of HIV infection and 3.1 million deaths caused by AIDS each year.
Of the nearly 40 million persons affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide, the top three places are in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 25.4 million cases, followed by 9.6 million combined cases in Asia and Eastern Europe, and 1 million cases in North America.
A joint assessment on the AIDS pandemic by UNAIDS and the WHO found significant rises in HIV inflections in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia from 2002 to 2004.
Since the discovery of HIV/AIDS, many world health agencies have reported alarming rises in the frequency of the virus and syndrome, especially among adolescents and youths.
Half of newly HIV-infected people are between the ages of 15 and 29, with the majority of them being adolescents, which is where undergraduates fall. This frightening pace of HIV/AIDS transmission also extends to Nigeria, where approximately 5.4% of people (ages 15-49) are HIV/AIDS positive.
The University of Lagos in Akoka, Nigeria, has a population of over 35,000 people from 100 different nationalities and ethnicities. Student life at the University of Lagos is very active and dynamic, and because these students are young
it is common to find them with common interests, which can lead to the best of times, the worst of times, or a time of marvellous new birth as a result of the friendship ties that are formed between boys and girls and are often centred on sex.
HIV voluntary testing is a process in which an individual willingly agrees to get an HIV test and is counselled prior to the test. The counselling is designed to help the client manage with stress and make personal decisions about HIV/AIDS.
Counselling is provided to prevent HIV transmission and to provide psychosocial assistance to persons who have been infected. After counselling, an HIV antibody test is performed to determine the presence of HIV antibodies in the blood. Post-test counselling is then provided based on the test results.
According to research, student attitudes regarding HIV voluntary testing are a critical component in determining the HIV status of a population in a country such as Nigeria, which is one of those with poor levels of understanding about safe sex and HIV.
Students who have a negative attitude towards voluntary testing demonstrate a poor understanding of HIV/AIDS. Advocating for voluntary counselling and testing is crucial, and all undergraduates should be encouraged to participate. This will help reduce HIV transmission.
In the current state of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, voluntary counselling and testing are critical and urgently required, particularly among undergraduates, who are viewed as a vulnerable group and are constantly influenced by their surroundings
particularly those of their peers. As a result, this research is necessary to determine the attitudes of undergraduates at the University of Lagos towards HIV voluntary testing.
1.2 Statement of Problem
The topic of increasing HIV infections and AIDS has become a global controversy. Since the discovery of this killer virus, reports have showed a terrifying growth in the prevalence rates of the virus and syndrome, particularly among adolescents and young people.
This worrisome rate of HIV infection and AIDS spreads to countries such as Nigeria, where 5.4% of adults (ages 15-49) have HIV and AIDS.
As a result, the study aims to obtain insight into the attitudes of undergraduates at the University of Lagos towards HIV voluntary testing. It will look for answers to the following:
1. Will University of Lagos students be knowledgeable enough to conduct voluntary counselling and testing?
2. Will University of Lagos students see VCT as effective in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS?
3. Will University of Lagos students know where to find VCT Centres?
4. Will students at the University of Lagos know their HIV status?
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.
The primary goal of this study will be to:
1. Determine whether undergraduates’ attitudes regarding HIV voluntary testing will be positive.
1.4 Significance of the Study
Since knowledge breeds action and informed response, there is a need to inform undergraduates at the University of Lagos about the importance of HIV voluntary testing, which will allow them to learn their HIV status, and once this is known, they will be at the forefront of preventing the progression of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The findings of this study will provide undergraduates with possibilities to raise knowledge about safer alternatives and sustain safer sexual and drug-related behaviours.
It will also allow for further reductions in the transmission, burden, and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.
i. Will University of Lagos students want to take a voluntary HIV test?
ii. Will University of Lagos students embrace the fact that VCT helps to prevent HIV transmission?
iii. Will students at the University of Lagos be able to name
Two VCT Centres?
iv. Will students at the University of Lagos know their HIV status?
1.6 Hypotheses
1. Students at the University of Lagos will be unfamiliar with HIV voluntary counselling and testing.
2. Students at the University of Lagos would not know their HIV status.
3. Students at the University of Lagos will not find HIV voluntary counselling and testing beneficial in avoiding the spread of HIV.
4. University of Lagos students will be unaware of services that provide HIV voluntary counselling and testing.
1.7 DELIMITATION.
The study was limited to just undergraduates at the University of Lagos from two faculties, namely:
A. Education
b. Social sciences.
1.8 LIMITATION.
The biggest constraint The researcher encountered tiredness during the duration of the study, as most of the respondents were not prepared to sit and complete any questionnaire, and the majority of the respondents were afraid to answer questions about HIV/AIDS.
Because of the nature of the research and the topic matter, data gathering and analysis have proven to be problematic.
1.3 Definition of Terms
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
VIRUS: The tiniest microbes that cause disease.
ENDEMIC: An endemic disease is always seen in a specific location.
PREVALENT: Common at a specific time or area.
A pandemic is a sickness that affects a huge population.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: The mechanism by which your body defends itself from sickness.
INTRAVENOUS: An injection administered into a vein. CIRCUMCISION: The act of cutting off the skin at the end of the penis (male) or the Clitoris (female).
SCARIFICATION: Making small cuts on a patch of skin with a sharp knife.
VCT: Voluntary Counselling and Testing.
SPECIFICITY: The percentage of HIV-negative cases that the test accurately identifies as negative.
SENSITIVITY: A HIV test’s ability to appropriately identify HIV positive cases.
FHI: Family Health International.
SWAAN: Society for Women and Aids in Africa, Nigeria Chapter.
STIs are sexually transmitted infections.
PLWHA (People Living with HIV/AIDS)
ARV: Antiretroviral Drug.
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