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HIV voluntary counselling and testing in Nakuru, Kenya: findings from a community survey

  1. TK Irungu1,†,
  2. P Varkey1,
  3. S Cha2,
  4. JM Patterson3

Article first published online: 31 JAN 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2007.00538.x

Issue

HIV Medicine

HIV Medicine

Volume 9, Issue 2, pages 111–117, February 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Irungu, T., Varkey, P., Cha, S. and Patterson, J. (2008), HIV voluntary counselling and testing in Nakuru, Kenya: findings from a community survey. HIV Medicine, 9: 111–117. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2007.00538.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine,

  2. 2

    Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA, and

  3. 3

    University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA

  1. †

    *Present address: Three Rivers Health District, Saluda, VA, USA.

* Dr Prathibha Varkey, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Tel: 001 507 284 9966; fax: 001 507 284 4251; e-mail: Varkey.prathibha@mayo.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 31 JAN 2008
  2. Article first published online: 31 JAN 2008
  3. Received 3 August 2007, accepted 23 October 2007

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Keywords:

  • attitudes;
  • HIV;
  • Kenya;
  • VCT;
  • voluntary counselling and testing

Objectives

HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is important for prevention, detection and treatment of HIV infection. A study was conducted to determine the extent of utilization of VCT, and to study the attitudes and preferences of the community regarding VCT.

Methods

A total of 301 adults, aged 18–49 years, residing in Nakuru, Kenya were randomly selected using a two-stage sampling process. A self-administered questionnaire delivered during home visits was used to collect data over a 4-week period.

Results

The majority of study participants (184 of 287; 64.1%) had never been tested for HIV; 77 (26.8%) had received VCT, and 26 (9.1%) had received HIV testing without counselling. A total of 219 (78.2%) of the 280 responding participants expressed readiness to have VCT. The majority of participants (216 of 296; 73%) preferred VCT, while 46 (15.5%) preferred testing without counselling. The majority (227; 76.7%) preferred couple testing and dedicated clinics and private doctors' offices as testing facilities. The choice of a nearby facility was ranked above the provision of anonymity by most participants (162 of 298; 54.4%; vice versa for 136 of 298; 45.6%).

Conclusions

With HIV/AIDS continuing to be a major public health concern in Kenya, the issues surrounding acceptance and use of VCT need to be addressed. Enhancing community awareness of the benefits of early HIV diagnosis, providing couple-based VCT as an integral part of VCT and increasing access to VCT testing sites may enhance utilization of VCT.

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