Factors influencing utilization of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services among Kenya Ports Authority employees in Mombasa, Kenya

Authors

  • J. K. Wangui Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • G. M. Kikuvi Department of Public and Community Health, School of Public Health
  • J. B. Msanzu Technical University of Mombasa

Keywords:

HIV, Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), Utilization, Kenya Ports Authority

Abstract

Purpose: HIV and AIDS remains to be a problem of public health importance worldwide. About 36.9 million people were living with HIV and AIDS by the end of 2014.  The greatest burden of the epidemic with about 25.8 million people living with HIV was in Sub-Saharan Africa which also accounted for 66% of the global total of new HIV infections. In Kenya, HIV burden stands at 1.6 million. Early access to testing and treatment would facilitate containing the pandemic and thus achieving 90-90-90 targets by 2020 and end AIDS epidemic by 2030. Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) aids stigma reduction and also allows for early uptake of services such as counseling for positive living, social support, legal advice and future planning. The objective of this study was to determine factors influencing utilization of voluntary counseling and testing services among Kenya Ports Authority employees in Mombasa.

 

Methodology: The study participants were drawn from the 32 departments using probability proportion to size sampling method (PPS);respondents within departments were randomly selected. Quantitative data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 16 (SPSS 16). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. Regression andcorrelation analysis were used to analyze the associations between dependent and independent variables.

 

Results: The prevalence of VCT utilization among the KPA, Mombasaemployees was 91.2%. Utilization of VCT services by the employees was supported by marital status, education level and religion, among other factors. Employees were keen to know their status but the majority felt uncomfortable being tested for HIV by someone they knew. Although majority had taken the HIV test more than once, some still declined due to no apparent reason, felt it not necessary, feared positive results or thought there was no cure for AIDS. However, those who tested received feedback promptly and communicated the test results to their partners, although majority did not accompany them. Fewer females disclosed their HIV results compared to males. Regression analysis on data from 295 respondents indicated a positive relationship between the factors analyzed and VCT uptake (R2 = 0.600). Being married was significantly positively associated with VCT utilization among employees (p=0.015), so was being accompanied by a partner (p=0.017), and communication of results (p=0.034). The respondents agreed that ARVs improved immunity and made one stronger. More male than female respondents used condoms during sex and also more male than female respondents disclosed their HIV status. The study further indicated that there was a marginal relationship between VCT utilization and the aspect of being denied recruitment or promotion because of HIV status (odds ratio at 95% CI: 0.982, 2.886; p=0.057).

 

Unique contribution to practice and policy:  From the study findings, employees were keen to know their status but the majority felt uncomfortable being tested for HIV by someone they knew and thus a significant number attended VCT outside KPA. A program to help support those who attend VCT outside KPA should be implemented so that such facilities do not run short of VCT program requirements. Although majority had taken the HIV test more than once, those who declined should be encouraged to take the test in order to know their status for prevention and early treatment. Since more male than female respondents disclosed their HIV status and more male than female respondents used condoms during sex, more innovative methods should be devised to encourage female employees to disclose their status and use condom. Special attention should be given to married employees and females.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

J. K. Wangui, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Medical Department, Kenya Ports Authority

G. M. Kikuvi, Department of Public and Community Health, School of Public Health

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

J. B. Msanzu, Technical University of Mombasa

Department of Pure and Applied Sciences

References

Agha, S. (1998).Sexual Activity and Condom Use. Lusaka: Zambia

Ayenew, A., Leykun, A., Colebunders, R., &Deribew. A. (2010).Predictors of HIV testing among patients with Tuberculosis in north-west Ethiopia: A case-control Study. PLoS One 2010, 5(3):e9702.

Batte,A., Katahoire,A. R., Chimoyi, A.,Ajambo,S., TibinganaB., &Banura, C. (2015). Disclosure of HIV test results by women to their partners following antenatal HIV testing: a population-based cross-sectional survey among slum dwellers. Kampala: Uganda.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2010).The role of STD detection and treatment in HIV prevention-CDC fact sheet.

Cochran, W.G. (1977). Sampling Techniques, 3rd edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Cunningham, C. O., Doran, B., DeLuca, J., Dyksterhouse, R., Asgary, R., &Sacajiu, G. (2009). Routine Opt-Out HIV Testing in an Urban Community Health Center. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 23(8), 619-623.

Day, J., Miyamura, K., Grant, A., Leeuw, A., Munsamy, J., Baggaley, R. & Churchyard, G.J. (2003)."Attitudes to HIV VCT among mineworkers in South Africa: will availability of antiretroviral therapy encourage testing?", AIDS Care, Vol. 15 No. 5, pp. 665-672.

Demissie, A., Deribew, A., &Abera, M.(2009).Determinants of acceptance of voluntary HIV testing among antenatal clinic attendees at DilChora Hospital. Dire Dawa East: Ethiopia.

Durojaiye, M., Turan, J., Kwena, Z., Oyaro, P., &Nyblade, L. (2013).Measuring HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination among Health Workers.Nyanza Province: Kenya.

Fonner, V.A., Denison, J., Kennedy, C.E., O'Reilly, K., & Sweat, M. (2012). Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for changing HIV"related risk behavior in developing countries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD001224.

HIV/AIDS and port workers (2013).A resource pack for unions.Published: ISBN: 1-904676-618.

ICAAC. (2009). People Who Decline Routine HIV Testing Are More Likely to Be Positive; Written Consent Requirement May Discourage Testing Details.Washington DC: USA.

ITF (2011).HIV/AIDS, ports and port workers. Geneva: Switzerland.

Kadowa, I., &Nuwaha, F. (2009).Factors influencing disclosure of HIV positive status in Mityana district of Uganda.Africa Health Science. 9(1): 26-33. PMCID: PMC2932514.

KAIS (2012).Preliminary Report. Nairobi: Kenya.

Kalichman, S.C., &Simbayi, L.(2003).HIV testing attitudes, AIDS stigma, and voluntary HIV counselling and testing in a black township. Cape Town: South Africa.

Makoae, L.N., Greeff, M., Phetlhu, R.D., Uys, L.R., Naidoo, J.R., Kohi, T.W., Dlamini, P.S., Chirwa, M.L., &Holzemer, W.L. (2008). Coping with HIV-related stigma in five African countries. J Assoc Nurses in AIDS Care. 2008;19:137-146. doi: 10.1016/j.jana.2007.11.004.

NACC & NASCOP (2012).Kenya AIDS Epidemic update 2011. Nairobi: Kenya

NASCOP (2011-2012). Kenya, county HIV service delivery profiles. Nairobi: Kenya.

NASCOP (2012).Achieving Universal Access to Knowledge of HIV Status. The Kenya HTC Report 2011.Nairobi: Kenya.

NASCOP (2010).National AIDS and STI Control Programme, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Kenya.Guidelines for HIV Testing and Counselling in Kenya. Nairobi: Kenya.

National Bureau of Statistics-Kenya (KNBS) and ICF International (2015).2014 KDHS Key Findings.Rockville, Maryland, USA: KNBS and ICF International.

Ogoina,D., Ikuabe, P., Ebuenyi,I., Harry, T., Inatimi, O.,&Chukwueke, O.(2015). Types and predictors of partner reactions to HIV status disclosure among HIV-infected adult Nigerians in a tertiary hospital in the Niger Delta.Afr. Health Sci.; 15(1): 10-18. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v15i1.2 PMCID: PMC4370137.

Oguntibeju, O.O. (2012). Quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS and antiretroviral therapy.HIV/AIDS (Auckland, NZ).2012; 4:117-124. doi:10.2147/HIV.S32321.

Okiriamu, F.C., Onyango, R.,Odiwuor,W.H., &Simatwa,E.M.W. (2013). Factors Influencing Utilization of Voluntary counselling and Testing Services among Fishermen at Dunga, Usoma and Asat Beaches. Kisumu District: Kenya. Greener Journal of Medical Sciences.

Shamu, S., Zarowsky, C., Shefer, T., Temmerman, M., &Abrahams, N. (2014). Intimate partner violence after disclosure of HIV test results among pregnant women. Harare: Zimbabwe.

Smith, D.J. (2010). Promiscuous Girls, Good Wives, and Cheating Husbands: Gender Inequality, Transitions to Marriage, and Infidelity in Southeastern Nigeria. Anthropological quarterly. 2010; 83(1):10.1353/anq.0.0118. doi:10.1353/anq.0.0118.

Soskolne.V. (1991). Condom use with regular and casual partners among women attending family planning clinics, Family Planning Perspectives, 1991, 23(5):222-225; Brookfield, VT, USA.

UNAIDS (2015).Report on the global AIDS epidemic 2012. Geneva: Switzerland.

UNAIDS (2014a).Fast-Track: ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Geneva: Switzerland.

UNAIDS (2014b).Report on the global AIDS epidemic 2014. Geneva: Switzerland.

UNAIDS (2013).Report on the global AIDS epidemic 2013. Geneva: Switzerland.

UNAIDS (2012).Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2010. Geneva: Switzerland.

UNIADS (2010).Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2010. Geneva: Switzerland.

Walusaga, H. A., Kyohangirwe, R., & Wagner, G. J. (2012).Gender Differences in Determinants of Condom Use among HIV Clients. Kampala: Uganda.

WHO (2014).Getting to zero 2011-2015 strategy. Joint United Nations programs on HIV/AIDS. Geneva: Switzerland.

WHO (2012).Service delivery approaches to HIV testing and counseling (HTC): A strategic HTC programme framework. Geneva: Switzerland.

WHO/UNAIDS. (2001). Information note on Effectiveness of Condoms in Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV. Geneva: Switzerland.

Wringe, A., Isingo, R., Urasa, M., Maiseli, G., Manyall, R., Changalucha, J., Mngara, J., Kalluvya, S., &Zaba, B. (2008).Uptake of HIV Voluntary and Counseling services in ruralTanzania: implications for effective HIV treatment and equitable access to treatment.Tropical Medicine andInternational Health; 13(3):319-27.

Yonah,G., Fredrick,F., &Leyna G. (2014). HIV serostatus disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS.Mwanza: Tanzania.

Zhou, L., Guo, J., Fan,L., Tian,J., &Zhou,B.(2009).Survey of motivation for use of voluntary counseling and testing services for HIV in a high risk area. Shenyang: China

Downloads

Published

2016-09-26

How to Cite

Wangui, J. K., Kikuvi, G. M., & Msanzu, J. B. (2016). Factors influencing utilization of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services among Kenya Ports Authority employees in Mombasa, Kenya. Global Journal of Health Sciences, 1(1), 27–41. Retrieved from https://iprjb.org/journals/index.php/GJHS/article/view/96

Issue

Section

Articles