|
Knowledge and perception on HIV premarital counseling and testing among unmarried young people of Kintampo town in the republic of Ghana,( Télécharger le fichier original )par Dr Jean Pierre Kasereka Makelele, MD.MPH SPH University of Ghana, Accra - MD.MPH 2005 |
Chapter ThreeMETHODOLOGY3.1. STUDY DESIGN AND STUDY POPULATIONThe study was a descriptive cross-sectional community based study using both qualitative and quantitative tools. The study population was all unmarried young adults of 15-30 years old living in the district. This target group of unmarried young adults has been chosen because they are the premarital age population and primary beneficiary and stakeholder of HIV PCT. 3.2. VARIABLES UNDER STUDYThe study variables were as follows (see Diagram 2 on page A and annex 4 on page N): A-Socio-demographic background variables: Age, sex, place of residence, level of education, occupation, religion and ethnic group. B- Premarital sex history, C-Level of Knowledge on STI, HIV/AIDS, VCT and PCT D-Perception towards HIV PCT, E-Perceived need of HIV PCT services F-Readiness to know and accept HIV PCT results G-Suggestions that HIV PCT should be provided at affordable or free cost H-Perceived need of confidentiality and privacy regarding HIV PCT exam and results I-Willingness to undergo HIV Premarital Counseling Testing. J- Suggestions of clients towards a very effective and acceptable HIV PCT program e.g Respondents who say HIV PCT should be compulsory or optional K-Point of view on marriage between HIV discordant couples and HIV seropositive couples and possible decisions on marriage that unmarried young adults are likely to make in regard to HIV positive test results. Assumptions: We assumed that there was some relationships between these variables as it is described in Diagram 2. In fact we thought that the likelihood for a young unmarried adult to perceive the need of HIV PCT services was function of background personal specifications (age, sex, educational level, religion, residence area, tribe), the premarital sex history, the general knowledge on STI, HIV/AIDS, VCT/PCT and the general perceptions towards HIV PCT. We also assumed that the willingness of a respondent to undergo HIV PCT was function of all the variables above plus the perceived need of HIV PCT services, the readiness to know and accept HIV test results, the suggestion that the provision of HIV PCT services should be at affordable or free cost and the perceived need of confidentiality and privacy regarding HIV PCT results. We also thought that application of key suggestions given by respondents may stimulate their willingness and their attendance towards HIV PCT, thus culminating to a very attractive, effective and successful HIV PCT program. From these two first assumptions we derived two logit models which we attempted to verify in our data analysis. Finally we assumed that once an unmarried young adult has the willingness to undergo HIV PCT, (s)he might then take the HIV test and attend counseling sessions. Counseling would then help him/her to know and accept his/her HIV test results. Counseling sessions might also help him/her take informed decision about marriage and develop a clear point of view on marriages between HIV infected people. Diagram 2: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIABLES: ASSUMPTIONS OF LOGIT MODELS -Knowing of a unmarried young adult HIV/AIDS sick person -Premarital sexual abstinence protects against HIV/AIDS while premarital sex is a risk factor to HIV -Children could be HIV infected from marriage union of their parents - Not all sexual unions and marriages are safe and good for health of partners and their offspring. - Good health status is a core criteria in the choice of a fiancé(e) -Knowing that HIV PCT is a core mean to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS in new couples -Knowing of any person/couple who underwent HIV PCT -A healthy fiancé(e) could be unknown carrier of HIV -Knowing who the beneficiaries of HIV PCT are -Knowing the major advantage of HIV PCT Readiness to know and accept HIV PCT results WILLINGNESS TO UNDERGO HIV PCT Perceived need of confidentiality and privacy regarding HIV PCT results -Perceived risk of one self and one's fiancé (e) to HIV/AIDS -Perceived severity of HIV/AIDS -Perceived self control over HIV PCT -Perception that most relatives (family members/peers) approve HIV PCT -Perception that HIV PCT should be institutionalized in the country -Perception whether HIV PCT should be compulsory or optional. - Perceived barriers to HIV PCT - Preference to undergo HIV VCT for marital reasons or not. E=á1+ßi(Ai)+ ßii((Bii)+ ßiii(Ciii))+ ßiv(Div) I= á2+ß'i(Ai)+ ß'ii((Bii)+ ß'iii(Ciii))+ ß'iv(Div)+ ß'v(E) + ß'vi(F) + ß'vii(G)+ ß'viii(H) J. Key Suggestions of clients towards a very effective and acceptable HIV PCT program/Policy HIV test result of oneself and one's fiancé (e) is known G.HIV PCT at affordable or free cost
|
|
