Lembuka,, Meinrad Haule
(2017)
Perceptions And Practices of Youths Towards Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Uptake Services: The Case of Kinondoni Municipality.
Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.
Abstract
This study examined the perceptions and practices of Youths towards VCT uptake services that aim to determine the level of practices on youths on VCT uptake and to explore youth’s perceptions on VCT uptake services in Kinondoni Municipal. The data were collected through interviews, focus group discussion, questionnaires, secondary data reviews, and observation. The study revealed that, youths aged 15-24 generally get tested because they would like to know their HIV status. One of the contributing factors maybe, exposure to sexual encounters predisposing them to HIV risk. This applies to all young people, regardless of sex, marital status, age or residential status. Most young people do not go for tests because they fears to be diagnosed with HIV+ve and a feeling that, they might be infected with the virus. Young people get motivated to go for VCT in places where their peers are provide services and where health providers have a welcoming attitude and where privacy is ensured. Young people would therefore like to uptake VCT services at facilities where special interventions to attract them are put in place including friendly environment. Also the study has presented and discussed the findings of the study with the rationale of examining the Perceptions and Practices of the youths towards the VCT services. It has been found in the study that majority of the youths have positive perceptions and value services offered by VCT sites, unfortunately they don’t go for these services because of the fact that they are afraid and hesitant of the positive results. Again, others are uncertain of the stigmatization by other fellow members. The study has recommended that there are still areas that require further studies for other groups including young Women who are majority of VCT visitants. Also there is an urgent need for the government and decision makers to intervene on the efforts to encourage more youths to attend VCT while addressing stigma and increasing HIV/AIDS awareness among the youth populations.
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