Students’ Attitude on HIV Self-Testing; The case of Ardhi University, Tanzania

1Jimson Joseph Chumbula and 2Ardolf Bahati Tweve

 

Abstract

 

Accepted 3^rd March, 2021.

 

Worldwide HIV testing services (HTS) has been transformed from heath-centred services to community-based services including self-testing of HIV/AIDS with the aim of increasing people’s access to HIV testing services. The Tanzania parliament has passed a bill that intent to legally allow the use of HIV Self-Testing method among her people. However, the attitudes and awareness of University students on this new health practice is not known.  This study attempted to fill the void by focusing on awareness and attitude of university students on HIV self-testing. The study was conducted at Ardhi University, Tanzania and adopted a cross-sectional research design, 300 respondents were involved. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and Focus Group discussion. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test model were used to analyze data. The findings indicate that respondents are not fully aware of HIVST. Also students have varied perceptions regarding HIVST. Majority of the respondents had positive thinking on the use of self-testing on HIV testing. The paper concludes that HIVST is particularly appropriate for reaching people at high risk of HIV who are unable to access or have difficulty accessing existing services, including; serodiscordant couples and partners, adolescents and young people, key populations and other vulnerable groups. It is recommended that for HIVST to be successful in Tanzania, the government, NGOs and any other interested stakeholders in HIV/AIDs should focus on nurturing positive attitudes and disseminating knowledge on HIVST.

 

Keywords: University students, Attitude, HIV Self-testing

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