Socio-economic characteristics affecting people's knowledge and utilization of HIV/AIDS counselling-testing service in Kathmandu District, Nepal

Abstract

A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in Kathmandu district, Nepal, to find out the relationship between utilization of counseling-testing visit for voluntary counseling and testing service and socio-economic characteristics of people, and to measure their knowledge about HIV infection and AIDS. The survey was conducted in both of urban and rural area of Kathmandu district, participants aged 15-49 years were randomly selected from the general as well as target population to be interviewed. Descriptive analysis, graphical presentation and three regression model analysis and estimated from OLS method, Hypothesis testing for statistical significance as of result interpretation were used to describe the association between selected variables as requirement of research objectives. A total of two hundred eighty people were interviewed. The prevalence of knowledge about HIV/AIDS of people was 85% ranging from 47% to 98%.People with gender, ethnicity in urban area had higher knowledge about HIV/AIDS, There were differences between male and female in terms of educational level, income and utilization of counseling –testing visit for VCT service. Income ranged from Rs 2000.00 to Rs 50,000.00 with the mean was Rs 10,385.72.Knowledge about HIV/AIDS was important factor affecting utilization of counseling-testing visit for VCT service with positive impact or in other word knowledge about HIV/AIDS could increase utilization of counseling-testing service for VCT. Educational level was the most important characteristics of individual affecting to knowledge about HIV/AIDS with high sensitivity. There was a disparity between urban and rural area in term of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and utilization of counseling-testing service for VCT. Individual income also had very important role for improvement the knowledge about HIV/AIDS of people. Utilization of counseling-testing service for VCT is an important basis to expand VCT service in Kathmandu district. Association between individual socioeconomic characteristics and knowledge about HIV/AIDS may be a basis for implementing intervention programs efficiently according to characteristic of individual.