Factors influencing men's uptake of HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counselling and Testing Services; a case of West Kanyamwa Location, Ndhiwa district, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated the factors that influence the uptake of HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services by men. The target population was a sample of 300 men and 20 health service providers in west Kanyamwa location in Ndhiwa district, Nyanza province. This sample was selected randomly. The study area was purposively sampled due to its high HIV prevalence rate in Kenya at 24%.

The study was motivated by the fact that despite a higher level of educational awareness on the dangers and negative impact of HIV infection, the number of Men who have taken the initiative to know their HIV status remain very low world wide and especially in Kenya. The Kenya government, through the National AIDS Control Council's strategic plan of 2010-2013 has set up a target of having 80% of men tested by the year 2011. However, currently only 24.9% of men in Kenya have gone for VCT.

This study employed the use of descriptive research design. It involved both purposive sampling of the study area and random sampling of the respondents. It involved the use of a questionnaire that was tailored to collect data from two types of respondents i.e men and health service providers in the study area. Finally, collected data was coded and Statistical computer software of social sciences used to analyze it.

The study found out that the uptake of HIV / AIDS voluntary counseling and testing services by men was influenced by beliefs men hold about HIV counseling and testing services. These beliefs emanate from their socialization and gender based factors like masculinity. The uptake is also influenced by the lack of education on the men benefits of going for HlV counseling and testing services.

Men are also limited in their uptake of HIV counseling and testing services by the type of HIV testing services used by health service providers in the community. They prefer mobile HIV counseling and testing services. Finally, the uptake of HIV counseling and testing services by men is influenced by the distance between the health facilities that offer testing services and their residential areas and work sites.