HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE AND WILLINGNESS TO TEST FOR HIV IN TWO URBAN POOR COMMUNITIES IN ACCRA, GHANA

HIV/AIDS infection is not the result of ignorance as nearly everyone has sufficient knowledge about AIDS and how it is transmitted in Africa. HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is the gateway to comprehensive HIV support including access to antiretroviral therapy. Despite the array of delivery approaches and the advantages of VCT, uptake is disappointingly low. This study examines factors associated with willingness to test for HIV among urban poor residents (15-59 years) of Accra.

Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate regression techniques are used to determine the factors influencing willingness to test for HIV using the Edulink Urban Health and Poverty project questionnaire.

Comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS did not influence willingness to test for HIV. This suggests the need for interventions such as behavioural change communication strategies to improve willingness to test for HIV.