EFFECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON THE UPTAKE OF VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING AMONG LONG DISTANCE DRIVERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

EFFECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON THE UPTAKE OF VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING AMONG LONG DISTANCE DRIVERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background
Human Immune deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
remains a major pub lic health problem worldwide, presently affecting about 33.2 million
individuals. The impact of HIV/ AIDS has been felt in virtually all aspects of life including
the individuals, the family and the community Long distance drivers are of particular
concern to HIV prevention an d care programs because the y constitute a high risk group. They
travel frequently , often to areas with high prevalence of HIV /AIDS and are away from home
for long periods of time. HIV counseling and testing (HCT) whether voluntary (VCT) or
provider initiated is an intervention which gives the client an opportunity to confidentially
discuss his or her HIV risks and be assisted to learn his/her HIV status for purposes of
prevention, treatment, care and support. HIV/AIDS affects people from all walks of life, both
old and young with dif fering prevalence rates. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is quite high
among long distance drivers and it is a cause for concern. The objective of this study was to
determine the effect of health education on uptake of VCT among long distance drivers in
Plateau State.
Methodology
The study was an interventional study carried out among long distance drivers
in Jos North L.G.A as the study group and Bassa L.G.A as the control group. Using a multi
stage sampling technique, baseline assessment of the knowledge and attitude towards HIV
and VCT, sexual practice and perception of risk of HIV/AIDS as well as uptake of VCT and
contributing factors influencing VCT uptake was carried out in both the study and control
groups using a semi structured interviewer administe red questionnaire. Long distance drivers
in the study group only were provided with health education on HIV/AIDS and VCT. After
three months, another assessment was carried out in both the study and control groups using
the same instrument of data collecti on. At the end of the study, the same health education on
HIV/AIDS and VCT was also given to the long distance drivers in the control group. All data
HIV/AIDS and VCT was also given to the long distance drivers in the control group. All data generated were processed and analyzed using generated were processed and analyzed using SPSS 14, Chicago IllinoisSPSS 14, Chicago Illinois. Frequency tables were . Frequency tables were generated forgenerated for the sociothe socio–demographic data. Student’s tdemographic data. Student’s t–test and Chi Square (Xtest and Chi Square (X22) test were used ) test were used to test for difference of means and association between qualitative data. A 95% confidence to test for difference of means and association between qualitative data. A 95% confidence level was used for the study and a Plevel was used for the study and a P–value of less than 0.05 was considered statistivalue of less than 0.05 was considered statistically cally significant.significant.
Results:
Results: The mean ages of the long distance drivers in both the study and control groups The mean ages of the long distance drivers in both the study and control groups were 41.0 were 41.0 ++ 7.9 years and 42.0 7.9 years and 42.0 ++ 66..6 years respectively (P = 0.216). The mean knowledge 6 years respectively (P = 0.216). The mean knowledge scores of HIV/AIDS increased significantly from scores of HIV/AIDS increased significantly from 5.3 5.3 ++ 1.51.5 prepre–interventionintervention to 9.4 to 9.4 ++ 1.11.1 postpost–intervention in the study group (P = 0.000) and in the control group from 4.7 intervention in the study group (P = 0.000) and in the control group from 4.7 ++ 1.0 pre1.0 pre–intervention to 5.5 intervention to 5.5 ++ 1.6 post1.6 post–intervention. Similarly, the mean knowledge scores of VCT intervention. Similarly, the mean knowledge scores of VCT among respondents increased from 4.2among respondents increased from 4.2 ++ 1.4 1.4 prepre– intervention to intervention to 6.76.7 ++ 1.6 post1.6 post–intervention intervention in the studyin the study groupgroup (P = 0.000(P = 0.000) and in the control group it increased from) and in the control group it increased from 4.0 4.0 ++ 1.6 pre1.6 pre–intervention to 4.2 intervention to 4.2 ++ 1.9 post1.9 post–intervention (P = 0.195). The mean attitudinal scores towards intervention (P = 0.195). The mean attitudinal scores towards HIV/AIDS also improvedHIV/AIDS also improved ffromrom 11.411.4 ++ 2.6 pre2.6 pre–intervention tointervention to 13.313.3 ++ 3.3 post3.3 post–interventionintervention in in the study group (P < 0.0001) while in the control group it was 11.3 the study group (P < 0.0001) while in the control group it was 11.3 ++ 3.33.3 prepre–intervention and intervention and 12.2 12.2 ++ 3.2 post3.2 post–intervention. In the study group, the mean attitudinal score towards VCT also intervention. In the study group, the mean attitudinal score towards VCT also increased significantly to 9.1increased significantly to 9.1 ++ 3.0 post3.0 post–intervention fromintervention from 5.75.7 ++ 2.5 pre2.5 pre–interventionintervention (P = (P = 0.000) and it was 6.0 0.000) and it was 6.0 ++ 2.5 pre2.5 pre–intervention and 6.2 intervention and 6.2 ++ 2.5 post2.5 post–intervention in the control intervention in the control group (P = 0.539)group (P = 0.539).. The uptake of VCT among respondents in the study grouThe uptake of VCT among respondents in the study group increased from p increased from 18.6% pre18.6% pre–intervention to 57.2% postintervention to 57.2% post–intervention (P < 0.0001) and in the control group, it intervention (P < 0.0001) and in the control group, it increased from 10.0% preincreased from 10.0% pre–intervention to 13.9% postintervention to 13.9% post–intervention (P = 0.281). intervention (P = 0.281).
Conclusion:
Conclusion: This study has shown that health education is an effective tool in improving the This study has shown that health education is an effective tool in improving the uptake of VCT among long distance drivers. Therefore, it should be employed to improve uptake of VCT among long distance drivers. Therefore, it should be employed to improve VCT uptake among this high risk group and scaled up to other high risk groups. VCT uptake among this high risk group and scaled up to other high risk groups.

Title Page———i

Certification——–ii

Dedication———iii

Acknowledgement——-iv

Abstract ———vi

Table of Content——–vii

 

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction ——-1

1.1 Statement of Problem——4

1.2 Purpose of the Study——5

1.3 Significance of Study——8

1.4 Limitation——–9

1.5 Scope of Study——-11

 

Chapter Two

2.0 Review of Related Literature —-12

2.6 Summary of Literature Review—- 19

 

Chapter Three

3.0 Research Methodology and Procedure—22

3.1 Population ——–22

3.2 Sample and Sampling Technique—-22

3.3 Validation of the Instrument —-23

3.4 Reliability of the Instrument —–23

3.5 Data Analysis——-23

 

Chapter Four

4.0 Presentation and Discussion of Result—24

4.1 Analysis and interpretaion of Data—25

4.2 Discussion of Results——38

 

Chapter Five

5.0. Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation  –40

5.1 Summary——–40

5.2 Conclusion——–41

5.3 Recommendation——42

References ———45

Appendix 1——–47

Appendix ———50

EFFECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON THE UPTAKE OF VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING AMONG LONG DISTANCE DRIVERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

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