Knowledge and attitude towards voluntary counseling and testing for HIV: A community based study in northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is potentially effective intervention to prevent transmission of
HIV by changing sexual behaviour, and also enabling seropositive women to make informed decision whether or not
to have children.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practice of the community on VCT for HIV and
prevention of Mother-to-Child transmission (PMTCT).
Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice towards VCT for
HIV and PMTCT. A total of 992 subjects residing in urban and rural Kebeles were interviewed using a pre-tested
questionnaire.
Results: 89.9% of the respondents were aware that one can check her/his HIV status. However, less number of them,
i.e. 732 (73.8%) knew about the availability of VCT services. Urban dwellers were found to be more willing than rural
villagers to undergo testing for HIV. The majority of women (426, 85.5%) specified their willingness to take
antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy to protect vertical transmission if they are seropositive.
Conclusion: Level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS seems to be high among the study community. However, there are
still wrong interpretations and misunderstanding about modes of transmission and preventive methods. The result
could be used as a baseline data for instituting VCT and PMTCT activities. [Ethiop.J.Healh Dev. 2004;18(2):82-89]