Obstacles for Accessing to Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV in Vulnerable Groups and General Population

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate obstacles to access VCT for HIV in vulnerable
groups and general population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during May-July
2013. Eight provinces of 31 targeted provinces of the National Strategic Plan for Prevention
and Alleviation of HIV/AIDS 2012-2016 were purposively selected. Time location sampling
and quota sampling were deployed to obtain 751 subjects. Whereas 1937 subjects from
private firms represented for general population were obtained by cluster sampling with
probability proportional to size. The results showed that among those who ever tested for
HIV, obstacles to make decision for testing HIV next year were no risk behaviors
(FW:AOR=1.96 95%CI=1.03-3.75, MSM: AOR=3.97 95%CI=1.58-10.32), not be invited to be
tested (AOR 2.39 95%CI=1.73-3.33), perceived right to be tested (FW: AOR=2.73 95%CI=1.35-
5.54), paid for testing (FSW : AOR=2.80 95%CI=1.75-8.34), negative attitude toward testing
(MSM: AOR=5.51 95%CI=1.99-15.2), not friendly service (PWID : AOR=6.38 95%CI=1.01-
40.29). For those who had never been tested for HIV, obstacles included no risk behaviors
(FW: AOR=1.62 95%CI=1.10-2.38), not be invited to be tested (FW : AOR=2.39 95%CI-17.1-
3.33, FSW: AOR=3.66 95%CI=1.11-12.04), no information regarding VCT (FW: AOR=1.79
95%CI=1.39-2.30), negative attitude toward blood testing (FSW: AOR=7.02 95%CI=16.01-
30.59, MSM: AOR = 2.66 95%CI=1.32-5.39). So increasing coverage among those vulnerable
groups to HIV/AIDS for goal achievement, measures that can help them to do risk selfassessment
properly and correctly should be conducted. Pro-active strategies should be
implemented to provide information and benefit of VCT for HIV/AIDS as well as inviting to
participate so as to be able to do self-assessment for HIV/AIDS correctly, in particularly,
among male having sex with male which VCT rate was lower than others. From the results
of this study, it revealed obviously that negative attitude toward blood testing was
associated with attending blood testing. Changing attitude measure should be implemented in
order to perceive the benefit of knowing HIV infected status and early received treatment.
For general population, it is not so hard to meet the target. However, preventive measures
should be re-designed to connect with treatment so that this population can involve
treatment and care system and find preventive measures to prevent the spread of
infections to other.