Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences

ISSN: 1858-5051

High-impact research on the latest developments in medicine and healthcare across MENA and Africa

Attitudes of Patients Attending Omdurman Teaching Hospital VCT Center, Sudan toward HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services

Published date: Jun 30 2023

Journal Title: Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences

Issue title: Sudan JMS: Volume 18 (2023), Issue No. 2

Pages: 153–164

DOI: 10.18502/sjms.v18i2.13600

Authors:

Maha Hamed Mohamed AliPublic Health Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia

Osman Babiker OsmanPublic Health Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia

Adam DawriaPublic Health Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia

Amna Hamid Imam BabekerPublic Health Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia

Hussein Ahmed Abdalla YahyaNursing College, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed ShanawazPublic Health Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia

Nahid ElfakiCommunity Health and Psychiatric Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Najran University, Saudi Arabia

Salma Mohammed Gomaa DoalbetNursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Hafr Albaten University, Hafr Abaten, Saudi Arabia

Waled Ahmedweliameen1980@hotmail.comNursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

Background: Despite the availability of HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing services in Omdurman Teaching Hospital, the level of uptake remains low, and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Sudan is still high. This situation suggests that there may be some underlying factors, such as patients’ attitudes toward the services provided, that are affecting their willingness to access them. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the attitude of patients attending HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing services in Omdurman Teaching Hospital, Sudan.

Methods: A descriptive hospital-based study was conducted at Omdurman Teaching Hospital, Sudan. All patients attending HIV/AIDs counseling and voluntary services center were invited to participate in this study, and of the 200 invited, 150 patients participated with a response rate of 75%. Data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire and then analyzed by SPSS (version 23).

Results: The findings revealed that many patients (92%) have a positive attitude toward HIV voluntary counselling and testing and believed that the shared information is informative and influential. It was also observed that 80% of the patients who received counselling had lower levels of social and psychological stress and stigma.

Conclusion: The study highlighted the positive attitude of patients to utilize HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing services which reduces the social and psychological stresses and stigma among HIV patients. Females and Muslim patients had a positive attitude.

Keywords: HIV, voluntary counselling and testing, stigma, psychological stresses, Sudan

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