Abstract
Despite increased campaign for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS
in Nigeria only a negligible number of young people participates in this activity. This
study investigates the factors affecting the attitudes and behaviour of students at the
University of Ibadan, which is a microcosm of other universities in the country, as a
way of understanding the context in which apathy towards VCT occurs. The Health
Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action enable the study to highlight the
variables that interact to influence students’ behaviour towards VCT. Data were
collected through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews (IDIs). The survey
involved 400 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling technique, while 12
IDIs were conducted among undergraduate and postgraduate students identified as
relatively knowledgeable about issues related to VCT – mainly as peer educators. The
findings show that although 95.3% of the students were aware of VCT, only 15% of
them had undertaken voluntary HIV testing. The specific results indicate that there is a
wide gap between intention and action related to VCT. Of the 57.5% respondents who
had discussed VCT and intended to participate in it, only 27.3% actually underwent
VCT. A combination of overconfidence in not being HIV positive, fear of testing
positive to the virus, the perceived non-confidentiality of test results and stigma and
discrimination strongly discourage students from partaking in VCT. The study clearly
indicates the need to bridge the gap between knowledge and behaviour through
vigorous sensitization and enlightenment activities.
Nwokocha, E & Eyango, V (2021). Attitudes and Behaviour of Nigerian University Students towards Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/attitudes-and-behaviour-of-nigerian-university-students-towards-voluntary-hiv-counselling-and-testing
Nwokocha, Ezebunwa and Victor Eyango "Attitudes and Behaviour of Nigerian University Students towards Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing" Afribary. Afribary, 21 Apr. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/attitudes-and-behaviour-of-nigerian-university-students-towards-voluntary-hiv-counselling-and-testing. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Nwokocha, Ezebunwa, Victor Eyango . "Attitudes and Behaviour of Nigerian University Students towards Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing". Afribary, Afribary, 21 Apr. 2021. Web. 18 Dec. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/attitudes-and-behaviour-of-nigerian-university-students-towards-voluntary-hiv-counselling-and-testing >.
Nwokocha, Ezebunwa and Eyango, Victor . "Attitudes and Behaviour of Nigerian University Students towards Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing" Afribary (2021). Accessed December 18, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/attitudes-and-behaviour-of-nigerian-university-students-towards-voluntary-hiv-counselling-and-testing