Factors that influence attitudes towards VCT utilization among police officers: A case study of Temeke, Kinondoni and Ilala districts of Dar es salaam region

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the factors that influence VCT utilization among Police officers. The specific objectives of this study were to ascertain the uptake of VCT among Police officers, identify the barriers facing VCT utilization and to identify the strategies to increase VCT utilization among Police officers. The types of data collected were quantitative which was collected using questionnaire and qualitative data collected using interview with focus group discussion. The findings revealed that, VCT utilization among police officers is low. More than a half of the population understudy did not know the importance of VCT utilization. The findings as well revealed barriers of VCT utilization which are, fear of positive HIV results, lack of confidentiality by VCT staffs and lack of knowledge about VCT services. Furthermore the findings revealed that most of respondents from focused group discussion suggested that VCT should not be isolated from the main health facilities, should rather be built in the way that people should not know one went for HIV test. Again health education about VCT utilization should be more emphasized among Police officers.