Affiliation(s)
1. Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Private Mail Bag, Cape Coast, Ghana
2. Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, 33501, Germany
ABSTRACT
Background and purpose: Despite
HIV testing and counselling (HTC) being recognized as important elements of any
effective prevention, detection, care, and management programmes across many societies
as part of their primary health care package, it is surprising that research evidence
on related issues, especially in developing countries like Ghana is sparse. This
study examined the extent of knowledge, attitudes and utilisation of HIV testing,
and counselling services among trainee nurses of the public nursing and midwifery
training colleges in the Central Region of Ghana.
Methods and results: A descriptive cross-sectional design
was employed to collect data from 375 nursing and midwifery students using multistage
sampling procedures. Findings showed that students’ HTC knowledge was high (85%)
whereas attitudes toward HTC were rated positive (95%). However, HTC utilisation
was low (47%). Further results revealed a statistically significant
difference between class level and HTC utilisation (χ2 [1, N = 375]
= 14.263, p = 0.000). In contrast, no
statistically significant differences in student nurses’ class level and HTC knowledge
(χ2 [1, N = 375] = 0.624, p = 0.475) as well as class level and attitudes toward HTC services
(χ2 [1, N = 375] = 2.334, p = 0.158) were realized. Conclusion:
The low HTC utilisation among the student nurses may potentially
lead to missing opportunities for early
diagnoses, care, treatment, and support services for primary, secondary or tertiary
prevention modes. Organisation of programmes by college authorities on the importance
of HTC and the need for student nurses to utilise these services is crucial.
KEYWORDS
HTC, knowledge, attitude, utilisation,
nurses, midwives, Ghana.
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References