PERCEPTION OF HIV/AIDS AMONG TERTIARY EDUCATION STUDENTS IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE THE HIV TEST

Abstract

Aim: The study assessed the perception of HIV/AIDS among students in tertiary education institutions in northern Ghana and their willingness to take the HIV test. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Tamale Metropolis from September 2020 to June 2021. Methodology: A convenience sampling technique was employed to select 374 students aged 15- 30 years. Data from participants was collected using a standardized structure questionnaire and analyzed on Epi Info version 7. Cross tabulation was used to estimate the association between outcome variables and independent variables. Results: Almost all participants (366; 93.61% [95% CI: 90.73 – 95. 63]) were aware of HIV/AIDS, having acquired information about the disease mostly from a health worker. A very high proportion of the respondents (346; 88.49% [95% CI: 84.95 – 91.29]) were also aware of the modes of transmission of HIV, with 64.41% of participants identifying unprotected sexual intercourse as a major mode of HIV transmission. Though aware of how HIV is transmitted, almost half (46.21%) of sexually active participants did not use a condom in their last sexual intercourse. More than half (221; 56.52% [95% CI: 51.57 – 61.35]) of respondents had never heard of any HIV/AIDS support groups in their schools or communities. Though a majority (58.57%) of respondents were aware of free HCT in the country, the majority (207; 52.94% [95% CI: 47.99 – 57.84]) of the respondents had never taken the HIV test. Close to half (167; 42.71% [95% CI: 37.90 – 47.66]) of respondents had no plans to take the HIV test in the future. Conclusion: Our results revealed the need to intensify HIV/AIDS education, especially among the youth, emphasizing the increasing risk of HIV infection, importance of regular HIV tests for sexually active persons and the use of protection during casual sex.