Background Uptake of HIV counseling and testing (HCT) among informal sector workers is not well documented. Objective To assess HCT practices among clients presenting for HIV services at a market… Click to show full abstract
Background Uptake of HIV counseling and testing (HCT) among informal sector workers is not well documented. Objective To assess HCT practices among clients presenting for HIV services at a market HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Methods Between August 1 and September 15, 2009, clients presenting for HIV services at a market HIV clinic were invited to participate in the study. Socio-demographic and HCT data were collected from consenting adults aged 16+ years. Descriptive statistics were performed using STATA version 14.1. Results Of 224 individuals who consented to the interview, n=139 62 % were market vendors while n=85 38 % were engaged in other market-related activities. Majority of the respondents, n=165, 73.7 %, had ever tested for HIV; of these, n=148,89.7 % had ever tested for 2+ times. The main reasons for repeat testing were the need to confirm previous HIV test results, n=126, 85.1% and the belief that the previous HIV test results were false, n=35, 23.6 %. Uptake of couples' HCT was low, n=63, 38.2 %, despite the fact that n=200, 89 % had ever heard of couples' HCT. Conclusion These findings indicate high rates of repeat testing but low rates of couples' HCT uptake in this population.
               
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