Knowledge and Attitude Regarding HIV/AIDS and Universal Testing and Treatment Strategy in some Selected Communities in Fako Health Districts of Cameroon
Author(s): Kah Emmanuel Nji, Dickson Shey Nsagha, Vincent Verla Siysi, Eno orock GE, Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin
Background: HIV/AIDS has emerged as a serious public health threat across the world, especially in developing countries. To attain the 90-90-90 targets and bring the pandemic under control by 2030, Comprehensive knowledge and positive attitudes are cornerstones for the prevention, control, and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Objective: The objective of this study was to access the knowledge and attitude level of participants towards HIV/AIDS and Universal testing and treatment strategy Fako health districts, Cameroon.
Methods: This was a community based cross sectional study with a sample size of 1501 participants who were randomly selected within 8 communities. Data were collected electronically with android phones/Tablets by researcher through face-face interviews. The questionnaires had 15 items in 2 dimensions, Knowledge and altitude regarding HIV/AIDS and Universal testing and treatment strategy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression model.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 29 years, Majority (58.8%) of the participants were males while 797 (53.1%) of the participants had secondary education level. Also, Christians constituted 96.7% of the study population. Only 599 (39.9%) had heard of University test and treatment of HIV/AIDS and among which only 67(12.6%) knew what this means. Overall, 940(62.6%) had correct knowledge on HIV/AIDS and Universal testing and treatment strategy. Those with overall positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS and Universal testing and treatment strategy constituted 1140 (76%) of the study population. Predictors of positive attitudes were: Education level, knowledge level, health districts, Income level and history of having 2 or more sexual partners in the past 12 months. Participants who had tertiary level of education were 6.9 times more likely to have positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS