Sexual Behaviour, HIV/STI Prevention Knowledge, and Utilisation of VCT among the Residents in Sagam
Authors:
EZEOKOLI Rita
Publication Type: Journal article
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0
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Abstract
Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) has been seen as a viable tool in curbing permissive sexual behaviour as well as controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the sexual behaviour, HIV preventions knowledge, and VCT utilization among the residents in Sagamu metropolis with the aim of identifying aspects requiring interventions. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design in order to assess the knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and use of voluntary counselling and testing among the residents of Sagamu metropolis of Ogun State in Southwest Nigeria. In this study, a total of 287 participants stratified based on their professions (traders, students, and civil servants) were involved. A self-developed instrument tagged “Knowledge, Perceptions, Attitudes and the use of
VCT Questionnaire (KPAVCTQ)†was used data collection. Data analysis was done with descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results showed a direct relationship between participants’ sexual behaviour and STI preventions (.071), as well as VCT usage (.011); significant moderating influence of demographics was found on the relationship between sexual behaviour, VCT usage and STI preventions. Also, it was revealed that the participants did not differ significantly in their sexual behaviour (F (1,266) = 1.754; P < .05), HIV/STI prevention knowledge (F (3,266) = 1.887; P < .05), and VCT utilization (F (3,266) = 1.149; P < .05) for health purpose. This study underscores the need for the Nigerian society to focus attention on issues that are of some consequences to
human sexual health knowledge, social functioning and mental health development.