Conference abstract

Factors affecting uptake of HIV counseling and testing among adults in Bunkure Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria, 2016

Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2018:8(19).21 Mar 2018.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2018.8.19.601
Archived on: 21 Mar 2018
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Community factors, uptake, HIV counselling and testing, adults
Opening ceremony

Factors affecting uptake of HIV counseling and testing among adults in Bunkure Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria, 2016

Aliyu Shehu Ibrahim1,&, Aisha Abubakar2, Abdulrazaq Gobir2, Olufemi Ajumobi1, Mahmood Dalhat1, Patrick Nguku1, Muhammad Balogun1

1Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria, 2Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria

&Corresponding author
Aliyu Shehu Ibrahim, Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: community factors have been hindrance to HCT uptake towards achieving the "90 - 90 - 90" UNAIDS agenda, that 90% of all people living with HIV will know their status, 90% of those diagnosed will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90% of those will have viral suppression by 2020. The study aimed at determining the prevalence and the community factors affecting HCT uptake in Bunkure.

Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was used to select 350 adults who resided in Bunkure, using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed using Epi-info.

Results: analysis showed age range of 16 - 62 years, mean of 34.5 years ± 10.9, 51.4% were female, about 60% had no formal education, > 70% were Hausa farmers and trader. Prevalence of HCT uptake was 19%. Community factors causing hindrance were cultural belief (73%), stigmatization (86%) and fear of test (70.5%). Bivariate analysis showed association between uptake of HCT and gender in favor of female (OR: 0.3 CI 0.19 - 0.6, p < 0.05), education (OR: 2.0, CI: 1.2 - 3.4, p = 0.01), stigmatization (OR: 0.2, CI: 0.1 - 0.3 p < 0.05) and fear of test (OR: 0.3, CI: 0.2 - 0.5, p < 0.05). On logistic regression, education/none (p = 0.02), gender male/female (0.00) and stigmatization (p = 0.00) were statistically significant.

Conclusion: less than a quarter of adults in Bunkure obtained HCT. Low education and stigmatization hindered uptake. The community, Government and supporting agencies should collaborate in educating the underserved community to improve HCT uptake towards achieving PEPFAR target of 90 - 90 - 90 model as a road map to elimination of HIV infection by the year 2030.