Factors Influencing Utilization of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Service in Kasenyi Fishing Community in Uganda

Abstract

This article reports on part of a study that described models of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) service delivery and analyzed how a model influenced uptake of VCT services in a Ugandan community. A quantitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was used. Respondents (N = 127, 52% male, 48% female) provided data during structured interviews. Although knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention was high, only 47.2% of respondents had been tested for HIV. Married people were less likely to have been tested than unmarried people. The most common reasons for testing included risky lifestyle, signs and symptoms related to HIV, sex partners' risky lifestyles, and a sex partner's death. The most common barriers to testing were fear of results, belief that it was not necessary, and lack of time. VCT use was low. Sensitization to testing, mobilization of the community, and improving the quality and volume of VCT services are needed. © 2010 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.