Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV in Rural Area of Democratic Republic of the Congo: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Survey among Service Users

Abstract

Aims.To determine the prevalence of HIV, the level of sexual risk for HIV, and determinants of VCT attendance among adult population living in a rural area.Methods.A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mbanza-Ngungu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. An anonymous questionnaire was designed to extract relevant data.Results.In our cohort, 69% were respondents of more than 24 years of age and the single marital status was most represented (64.1%). A high proportion of respondents (90.6%) visited VCT service for requiring information (good acceptability). Positive test for HIV was reported in 9.4% of respondents. In this cohort, 49.6% of respondents had declared themselves to never use condom. In binary analysis, there was association between positive HIV test and age (p=0.04) and religions (p=0.02). In this cohort, it was observed that positive HIV test was significantly associated with confidentiality (p=0.02). However, there was no association between positive HIV test and condom use (p=0.25), knowledge of VCT (p=0.81), service requested (p=0.20), and previous HIV test (p=0.68).Conclusions.Preventive information for AIDS should be recommended in the population living in rural zone.