| dc.description.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 a identified the factors influencing the youths’ uptake of the HTS services. The study determined factors associated with uptake of voluntary counselling and testing (HTS) services of HIV/AIDS among youths seeking health care services in JOOTRH, 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 was the HTS booth center in JOOTRH. The target population were youths aged 18-35 years seeking HTS services at JOOTRH. A sample size of 123 youth, calculated by Slovin’s formula.. Sampling methods that were employed is Consecutive sampling. . A descriptive cross-sectional study was used. This study pinpoint factors influencing youths’ uptake of HTS services, eventually improving healthcare policy on HTS services., key findings include: youths aged 20-24 years (59.69%), high prevalence of sexual activity
(85%), widespread knowledge of HTS (98%) but significant knowledge gaps e. g., 48% of respondents believed that people assume that everyone undergoing HTS is infected, minimal reported cultural barriers to HTS uptake (1%), high prevalence of stigma associated with HIV and HTS (57.7) and willingness to discuss HTS with peers and family members (74% and 61% respectively)In conclusion, despite high awareness of HTS among youth, gender imbalances and stigma-related barriers persist, influencing HTS uptake. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing gender-specific barriers, educational disparities, and stigma to enhance HTS utilization. Recommendations are, social demographic: Ministry Of Health to develop targeted education campaigns that specifically target adolescents and young adults, emphasizing the importance of early HIV testing and prevention, knowledge: Hospital to integrate sexual health education with HTS initiatives: Address diverse sexual behaviors and ages of sexual debut among youth to empower informed decision-making and encourage regular testing, stigma: government to develop stigma reduction initiatives: Develop multifaceted interventions to address both public and self-stigma, promoting positive youth engagement in HIV prevention and treatment programs, government to enhance community and family engagement. | en_US |
