KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND UPTAKE OF VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING FOR HIV/ AIDS AMONG MEDICAL DOCTORS AND DENTISTS IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

HIV/ AIDS pandemic, being one of the important public health problems with profound effect on the lives of infected people and their families, has a sero- prevalence rate of 4.6% in Nigeria. Just like the general population, healthcare workers are at risk of acquiring HIV via sexual contact, but are also faced with additional occupational risks from needle pricks and sharps injuries. Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) has been identified as the access point to HIV/AIDS clinical care and psychological support. It also provides an opportunity for education and motivation to modify behaviour aimed at reducing the risk of HIV transmission.

This study was designed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and uptake of VCT for HIV/AIDS among medical doctors and dentists in South Western Nigeria. Methodology A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted among medical doctors and dentists within south Western Nigeria between January to June, 2014. Data was collected using self administered questionnaires and analysed using SPSS version 15. Results Among the 275 participants which comprised 55% medical doctors and 45% dentists, a high I vel of knowledge about VCT (78.9%) was noted with a statistically significant higher level of knowledge about VCT among medical doctors compared to dentists (p= 0.000). Also, there was ignificant association between uptake of HIV testing and participants' working experiencesuch that the proportion of those who had done HIV testing increased with their years of practice (p= 0.037). Majority of the participants (95.2%) agreed with the idea of free treatment coverage for HIV positive members of staff and their sero- positive family members under workplace VCT services. Conclusion Overall, this study observed a high level of knowledge of VCT, a highly supportive attitude towards workplace VCT and a very high uptake of HIV counselling and testing practice among medical doctors and dentists in South Western Nigeria