Factors Affecting the Uptake of HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing by People Aged 15 to 49 Years in Kumi District, Uganda

Abstract

According to the Ministry of Health Report, 2002, About 1 Million People in Uganda are Infected with HIV, while 1 Million have died from AIDS in the past 20 Years. HIV/AIDS is one of the main Diseases contributing to the burden of Disease in Kumi District. To date, There is no cure for HIV/AIDS and prevention still remains the main strategy for control, although there are antiretroviral drugs that improve quality of life. Voluntary Counselling and Testing(VCT) is one of such interventions in the control of HIV/AIDS. Many approaches to HIV prevention and care require people to know their HIV status. The uptake of HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing services by people aged 15 to 49 Years in Kumi District has however, been low at only 5.5 % since the introduction of the service in the District in 1998.