Utilisation of HIV prevention services among young youths attending the outpatient clinic of Bweyogere Health Centre III, Wakiso District. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/cg65cv06Keywords:
Young Youths, HIV prevention services, Bweyogerere Health Centre III, Personal risk perceptionAbstract
Background
In Uganda, HIV prevalence among young youths is estimated at 5.1%, contributing approximately 37% of all new HIV infections annually. The purpose of this study was to assess individual factors affecting utilisation of HIV prevention services among Young Youths attending the Outpatient Clinic at Bweyogerere Health Centre III, Wakiso District.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study design employing a quantitative research method was used to collect data among 80 youth who were sampled using convenience sampling within a period of 5 days, considering 16 per day of data collection. Data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire, coded and analysed using Microsoft Excel (2024) programs and presented in frequency tables, graphs and charts.
Results
The majority of the respondents, 67 (84%), were female, while the minority, 13 (16%), were male. 54 (68%) understood ways of preventing HIV, and 26 (32%) understood them very well. Regarding how respondents rated their risk of getting HIV, a vast majority of respondents, 67 (84%), considered themselves at low risk. In relation to whether respondents drink alcohol or use other drugs, the majority, 44 (55%), reported doing so sometimes, while the minority, 16 (20%), reported that they always do so. The majority, 47(59%), of the respondents said that their friends influenced them a lot in sexual decisions. Slightly more than half, 43(54%), of respondents mentioned that fear of results affected their decision to go for HIV testing.
Conclusion
The study concludes that most had only a partial understanding and low personal risk perception. Peer influence, fear of HIV test results, and alcohol or drug use among most respondents, inadequate counselling, and neutral attitudes of health workers were important barriers to service utilisation.
Recommendations
The Ministry of Health and District Health Office should strengthen youth-focused HIV prevention programs in Wakiso District through schools, communities, and media platforms.
References
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