Determinants of Healthcare Workers' Uptake of Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV/AIDS at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Aim: To establish determinants to the uptake of VCT services among the healthcare workers at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 193 participants selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results were presented using frequency distribution tables, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: There was a high level of uptake of VCT services among the healthcare workers, at 97.9%. Age of the participants had a significant influence (P = .042). Gender (P = .062), profession (P = .15), education (P = .12), and marital status (P = .11) had little or no influence. 100% of the participants recorded to be knowledgeable on modes and methods of HIV prevention and transmission. Knowledge of sexual contact in the transmission and spread of HIV virus proved to be statistically significant (P = .000). The factors highlighted as barriers in this study were found to have less impact in hindering the participation in VCT services. The moderation effect between variables was assessed using the Andrew F. Hayes and confirmed that, availability of guidelines for exposed participants and post-exposure prevention did not moderate the demographic factors, (P = .07). However, the administration's role encouraging the healthcare workers to HIV testing increased the significance of demographic factors. (P=.03). Conclusion: There was a high level of uptake of VCT services, knowledge on the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV virus among the healthcare providers. Government policies and institutional guidelines on HIV VCT protocols, medical ethics and consistent efforts are needed to promote the uptake of VCT services among the healthcare workers.