197914 Perceived Barriers and Benefits of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Among University Students in Nigeria

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Clara Egbealele Omogbai, DrPH, MPH, MLS , Department of Health Education and Promotion, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Susanne Montgomery, PhD , School of Public Health, Dept. Health Promotion & Ed, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Patti Herring, PhD, RN , School of Public Health, Dept. Health Promotion & Ed, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Helen Hopp Marshak, PhD , School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Ronald Mataya, MD , Department of Global Health, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA
ABSTRACT

PERCEIVED BARRIERS AND BENEFITS OF HIV VOLUNTARY COUNSELING AND TESTING AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NIGERIA

The purpose of this study is to examine the spectrum of VCT services available to university students in Nigeria and why students do or do not participate in VCT. The proposed research is a mixed method study - Phase I will involve qualitative research, using a systematic triangulation approach to elicit information from students about available VCT services and their perceptions of using these services; in Phase II, a cross-sectional survey instrument will be administered to student in core university classes. At the time of class all students will be eligible to participate in the study. Consent will take place at the universities of Ibadan and Lagos. Participants will undergo active and passive informed consent procedures in Phase I and Phase II respectively. Participants will be recruited by word of mouth and participation will last 3 months. Participants will be undergraduate students of the university of Ibadan and university of Lagos, between ages 18-40. This study will help identify perceptions about VCT among Nigerian university students as well as identify what factors are most influential in determining their intentions to utilize this important preventive service.

Learning Objectives:
1. To examine the spectrum of Voluntary Counseling Testing (VCT) services available to university students in Nigeria 2. To identify why students do or do not participate in VCT.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Health Educator, Inland Agency May 2007 – present . Revised the State of California breast and cervical cancer curriculum . Developed evaluation tools to monitor State of California cancer program . Develop questions for key informant’s interviews and conduct interviews . Conduct health education sessions for the underserved communities on the importance of early detection to prevent cancer. . Input data in State of California cancer registry database. Research Assistant, Loma Linda University Jan 2006 – present Center for Health Disparities & Molecular Medicine . Write comprehensive Literature reviews for various projects/programs . Develop questionnaire & variables to be measured and assessed for various projects . Develop questions for key informants interviews and conduct interviews . Conduct health education sessions for the underserved communities on various health topics . Analyze and develop codes for interviews (quantitative analysis) Consultant, ETR Associates June - Sept. 2006 . Conduct Sisters Informing Sisters on Topics on HIV/AIDS (SISTA) health trainings for African American Women to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission. . Train African American women to be Community Health Facilitators on how to disseminate SISTA in the community. . Revised SISTA HIV facilitator teaching manual to include current information on HIV/AIDS. Health Educator, Critical Learning Systems Inc Nov. 2004 – Jan. 2006 . Outreached to African American beauty salons and barber shops in San Bernardino . Conducted Health Education sessions on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases to community members at conferences, small groups and one-on-one meeting(s). . Evaluate Critical Learning Systems Inc. overall project. Public Health Coordinator, Central City Lutheran Mission Sept. 2004 – Nov. 2005 Provided counseling for 62 HIV+ residents in the support housing program and reversed the method in which support group meetings were organized. Initiated Health Education sessions at support group meetings. Coordinated Community Health Education sessions for community members at the H Street Clinic and also provided Health Education classes for Adolescents in the after school program. Some accomplishments include; . Increased community participation in Clinic’s activities through health education sessions . Counsel and conducted health sessions to HIV+ residents during weekly home visits . Developed training manual for urban health care workers (UHCWs) designed for use in CCLM-community accountability project and trained 10 persons to be UHCWs. . Developed IEC/training materials for integrated FP/STD/HIV-AIDS services and announcing program. Financial Secretary, African Child Foundation, Nigeria Oct. 1995- Nov. 2002 Implemented the Street Children Project, to reduce/eradicate armed robbery rates among street children. Conducted health teachings and counseled children for referral to various placements in housing/occupation sites. . Supervised a productive team of 5 that was responsible for reporting weekly health lesson plans. . Organized functions for the underprivileged (motherless babies, street children and disabled) in the community to make them feel loved and cared for by the Society. . Planned lessons and taught Math, English and Health topics to street children. . Negotiated for more street children to attended schools including trade unions. National Youth Corps, Emergency Relief Agency, Nigeria Feb. 1999 -Mar. 2000 Collaborated with the Emergency Relief Agency to develop strategies and plans in distributing relief materials to victims displaced by war and visited war sites to assess needs of the community. . Negotiated with government agencies to procure supplies for distribution. . Organized presentations for displaced families and individuals.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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