Research Article Open Access

Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing Amongst Trainee Nurses and Midwives in Ghana and their Perception of Disclosure of HIV Positive Status to Partners

Augustine KumahORCID1, Gideon Dzando1,6, Eunice Adorkor2,3, Tarsicius Kumih Yaw4,5, Linda Hayford3,6, Christine Ahiale5,1, Ernest Agada4,7, Hillary Selassi Nutakor2,8, Joseph Nortu7,9, Gideon Komla Azi8,10 and Augustina Akua Lartey9,11
  • 1 Quality Directorate, Nyaho Medical Centre, Accra, Ghana
  • 2 Operating Theatre, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana
  • 3 Department of Nursing, St Anthony’s Catholic Hospital, Dzodze, Ghana
  • 4 Department of Public Health, Catholic University College, Ghana
  • 5 Department of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  • 6 College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
  • 7 Department of Nursing, Jasikan District Hospital, Jasikan, Ghana
  • 8 Addiction and Recovery, Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Accra, Ghana
  • 9 Department of Anesthesia, Krachi West District Hospital, Krachi, Ghana
  • 10 Department of Nursing, Nursing Training College, Ho, Ghana
  • 11 Department of Nursing, Mamprobi District Hospital, Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is the best strategy for a successful HIV prevention, care, and support service implementation among HIV-negative and positive individuals. VCT is also recognized as a critical component in the reduction of risk among sexually active young people. This study aims to assess the voluntary HIV counseling, testing, and utilization amongst student nurses and midwives in Ghana and their perception of the disclosure of HIV-positive status to partners. This study used a cross-sectional quantitative descriptive survey amongst 98 nursing and midwifery students at the Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Koforidua. A simple random sampling was used in selecting the participants. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire. Females dominated the study with the majority of respondents being single. VCT uptake among the respondents was low. Only 26.5% had ever undertaken VCT. It was observed that their willingness to accept VCT does not translate into actual testing. The majority (83%) of respondents perceived that HIV-infected persons should disclose their status to a sexual partner. Fear of stigma (96.0%), fear of loss of friends (98.0%), and fear of being abused (88.8%) were identified as the barriers to HIV status disclosure. To promote VCT services among trainees, these services need to be periodically included in school activities. A comprehensive VCT training module needs to be included in the school curriculum. More emphasis should be placed on the benefits of VCT so that students will understand the importance of implementing VCT services.

American Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 18 No. 2, 2022, 38-45

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajidsp.2022.38.45

Submitted On: 28 February 2022 Published On: 6 June 2022

How to Cite: Kumah, A., Dzando, G., Adorkor, E., Yaw, T. K., Hayford, L., Ahiale, C., Agada, E., Nutakor, H. S., Nortu, J., Azi, G. K. & Lartey, A. A. (2022). Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing Amongst Trainee Nurses and Midwives in Ghana and their Perception of Disclosure of HIV Positive Status to Partners. American Journal of Infectious Diseases, 18(2), 38-45. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajidsp.2022.38.45

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Keywords

  • VCT
  • HIV
  • Trainee Nurses
  • Midwives
  • Perception
  • Disclosure
  • Partners
  • Ghana