Sign in Subscribe
Disease susceptibility

HIV/AIDS Research Highlights Knowledge, Perception, and Attitude Towards Voluntary Counseling and Testing Among Tanzanian Adolescents

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study from the University of Dodoma in Tanzania highlights the importance of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS among secondary school students. The research, aimed at assessing knowledge, perception, and attitude towards VCT, involved 127 students aged 15-25 years from three schools in Iringa Rural District. The findings suggest that secondary school students in the region have generally high awareness and positive attitudes towards VCT, mainly informed through schools and media. However, barriers such as fear, misinformation, and limited access to services persist, hindering the uptake of VCT.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study was conducted in Iringa Rural District, targeting secondary school students aged 15-25 years.
  • The primary source of VCT information was school-based education (33.3%), followed by radio/TV (23.6%), friends/family (16.7%), and magazines (12.7%).
  • Knowledge of VCT increased with education level, with Form IV students showing the highest awareness (55.4%).
  • Most students understood VCT's main purpose, with 50.6% linking it to knowing one's HIV status.
  • Attitudes toward HIV testing showed that stigma concerns increased with age, particularly among those aged 17-18 years, where 60.5% were unwilling to be identified as HIV-positive.
  • Key barriers to VCT uptake included fear of stigma (50.6%), lack of confidentiality, insufficient trained personnel, and poor infrastructure.
  • The study emphasizes the need for improved school-based VCT programs, better-trained staff, community education, and strategies to address stigma and infrastructural gaps.

Statistics:

  • 127 secondary school students aged 15-25 years participated in the study.
  • 54.3% of participating students were female, and 45.7% were male.
  • 92 students (33.3%) cited school-based education as their primary source of VCT information.
  • 65 students (23.6%) cited radio/TV as their primary source of VCT information.
  • 46 students (16.7%) cited friends/family as their primary source of VCT information.
  • 35 students (12.7%) cited magazines as their primary source of VCT information.
  • 71 students (50.6%) reported fear of stigma as a barrier to VCT uptake.

Sources:

  • Shakilu Jumanne Kayungo, et al. "Knowledge, Perception, and Attitude Toward Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV Among Secondary School Students in Iringa Rural District: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study." JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 2025;11.
  • Shakilu Jumanne Kayungo, et al. "Knowledge, Perception, and Attitude Toward Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV Among Secondary School Students in Iringa Rural District: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study." JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 2025;11. JMIR Publications, Inc, 130 Queens Quay East, Unit 1100, Toronto, On M5A 0P6, Canada.

Read more