Study on Knowledge and Attitude of Kyambogo University Students Aged 20 - 25 Years Towards HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services.

Abstract

The study was carried out basing on the topic “Study on the Knowledge and Attitude of Kyambogo University age 20-25 years towards HIV/Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services”. It aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of Kyambogo University Students aged 20-25 years on VCT services, establishing the attitudes of Kyambogo University Students among the student aged 20-25 years and Identifying the other problems that are hindering the free utilization of VCT services in Kyambogo University among the students aged 20-25 years.

The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs where both questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from the field. All data was grouped and analyzed in a statistical way where by data was presented in tables showing frequencies and percentages.

The following results were obtaining basing on the study finding; about the knowledge on VCT by the students included involvement of students in prevention of HIV/AIDs education programs supported by 66.7% of the total respondents, universities respond to HI/AIDs pandemic through administrative polices supported by 50% of them, lack of data make it difficult of future losses of staff and students also supported by 60% of the respondents, among the attitudes the students have towards VCT services are students engage in creative array of activities in response to HIV crisis supported by 63.3% of the total respondents, they organize awareness campaigns supported by 50% of them, their ignorance surrounds the presence of diseases also supported by 83.3% of the respondents and the problems that hinders the free utilization of VCT services included lack of good information regarding magnitude of the HIV/AIDs supported by 51.7% of them, reluctance of students and staff and also building capacity of teachers to become counselors is a big task and it needs a lot of time and money also supported by 66.7% of the respondents.

Among the cited recommendations were; Universities should allocate some funds in their budget for training teachers, sensitizing the public on the dangers of HIV/AIDs pandemic, putting strict rules to limit students from deliberately affect their fellow students and improving on counseling and guidance by Kyambogo Medical Centre among others.