Assessment of Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing Service utilization and VCT/HIV related knowledge and attitude towards VCT Among out of school youth in rural Nakuru County, Kenya: A cross sectional survey

Abstract

Background: Voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) is one of the key tools in the HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs in Kenya. But utilization of VCT services among out of school youth is low. The aim of this study was to assess voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing Service Utilization and VCT/HIV related knowledge and attitude towards VCT among out of school youth since though they are a risk group in Kenya they are less likely than other groups to be offered this service. A cross sectional study design was done among 369 out of school youth aged 18-35 drawn from three rural divisions of Nakuru County, Kenya, using proportionate and purposive sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaire was used to estimate the prevalence of VCT service utilization and to assess VCT/HIV related knowledge and attitude towards VCT among out of school youth. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 11.5.The study sample consisted of 56.1% males and 43.9% females. The mean age for those who had utilized VCT was 24 for men and 23 for females. The majority of the out-of- school youth (62.6%) had not utilized VCT. Poor utilization of VCT services was found to be significantly associated with HIV/VCT related knowledge and negative attitude towards VCT. VCT utilization among out-of- school youth in Nakuru County was low. The major factors identified for increased VCT service utilization were high VCT/HIV related knowledge and positive   attitude towards VCT. HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs in Nakuru County should focus on the above areas. Key words: HIV testing, VCT utilization, Knowledge, Out of school youth, Nakuru Keny