FACTORS INFLUENCING UPTAKE OF HIV TESTING SERVICES AMONG YOUTHS AGE 18-35 IN OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT, JOOTRH, KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

Low uptake of HTS among youths despite extensive establishment of HTS Centers in major Hospitals and small peripheral Health care facilities has been associated with unawareness of HIV/AIDS status among youths. At JOOTRH, the main gap is the low uptake of HTS services among youths aged 18-30 years age. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the youths’ uptake of the HTS services. The purpose of the study is to determine factors associated with uptake of voluntary counselling and testing (HTS) services of HIV/AIDS among youths seeking health care services in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), Kisumu County, Kenya. The objectives of the study are, to determine social demographic factors and uptake of voluntary counselling and testing (HTS) services among youths seeking health care services at JOOTRH Secondly, to investigate barriers and uptake of HTS services among youths and thirdly, to determine facilitators and uptake of HTS services among youths seeking health care services at JOOTRH. The study area will be at the HTS booth center in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. The target population will be youths aged 18-35 years seeking HTS services at JOOTRH. A sample size of 123 youth, calculated by Slovin’s formula, will be used in the study. Sampling method that will be employed is Consecutive sampling. Researcher-administered questionnaire with pretested tools will be employed for data collection. A descriptive cross-sectional study will drive the study. This study pinpoint factors influencing youths’ uptake of HTS services, eventually improving healthcare policy on HTS services. Factors limiting uptake of the services will help guide new interventions that will help improve uptake of HTS services by the youth.