Perception And Social Response Towards Counselling And Testing For Hiv/Aids: A Case Of Youth In Higher Learning Institutions In Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania.

ABSTRACT

For the last two decades, HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread all over the Tanzania affecting

all segments of life and youth in particular. VCT is one of the important components of

HIV prevention which aim at behavior change and ensures HIV/AIDS status of a

particular person. The purpose of the study was to determine youth perception and

response towards HIV/AIDS and VCT in Higher learning Institutions.

For the purpose of this study, University of Dodoma, S.T Johns University and Institute of

Rural Development Planning were selected in Dodoma Municipality. A purposive

sampling and simple random sampling was applied in selecting number of respondents to

represent in the study. Structured questionnaire was applied as a tool for primary data

collection. Data collected were coded and analyzed by using Software Package for Social

Science (SPSS Version 13.0).

The study reveals that (82.5%) have heard VCT, more than half (55.0%) have enough

information on VCT, Majority of students have attended only once to VCT. Most of them

agreed that media is the best way to deliver knowledge on VCT. Further, the assessment

of perception on effectiveness of VCT in behavioral change and HIV prevention shows

that majority of respondents perceived VCT to be an effective instrument for shaping

behavior and prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission.

Based on the findings, regular training for VCT should be established and increased so as

to impart new knowledge and skill to youth, also Government, CBOs and NGOs together

with ministry of Education in collaboration with Institutions should adopt an integrated

planning approach in which HIV/AIDS and VCT can go hand by hand.