Factors Influencing Uptake Of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services Among Male Prison Inmates in Kampala Extra Region Prisons – Luzira.

Abstract

Factors’ affecting voluntary Counseling and testing services among male prison inmates was a research carried out in Kampala Extra Region prisons – Luzira. This is the biggest prison detention centre in Uganda. The research sought to find the factors influencing uptake and acceptance of Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services among male prison inmates in comparison to the situation in the general population. In a calculated sample space of 325 participants, 306 were subjected to interviewer administered questionnaires to deter the socio – demographic, socio – economic, Individual and health system factors affecting the uptake and acceptance of VCT services in a prison setting. The research findings indicated that VCT uptake and acceptance in prisons compared to the general male population level was high (82%). Age, marital status, education level did not significantly affect uptake and utilization of VCT services among male prison inmates in KER prisons – Luzira. Four factors namely; Confidentiality levels, risk perception, attitude of health workers and stigma/discrimination were found to be significantly associated with the uptake and utilization of VCT services among male prison inmates in Kampala Extra Region - Luzira. This study is therefore evidence that programs that make HIV testing and counseling services easily accessible to marginalized populations like prisons can result into increased uptake and acceptance. This is particularly true if HIV testing and counseling services are part of a comprehensive treatment and care program.