Includes bibliographical references.

Abstract

New infections to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have been reported to have decreased globally according to the UNAIDS 2018 data but here in the Philippines, new HIV infections have increased with an average of 32 people newly diagnosed with HIV per day as of 2018 (HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines, 2018). The increasing number of new infections could be due to the lack of knowledge and awareness on HIV which can expose an individual to high risk behaviours. Among people exposed and at risk of acquiring HIV are clients for HIV counselling and testing. HIV counselling and testing is the gateway to prevention, care and treatment (National Agency for the Control of AIDS, 2014). It is through HIV Counselling and testing that a person will know its HIV status. It also educates people who tested negative on the ways to stay negative and for a positive test result, how to live positively without infecting others. This study aims to strengthen and emphasize the need for HIV counselling and testing to promote awareness and encourage voluntary testing especially to those “at risk” individuals. This study will specifically assess the level of knowledge of those clients before and after they are counselled and tested for HIV. The study used descriptive method and selected the respondents for HIV counselling and testing using systematic random sampling. Results revealed majority of the respondents got low to average knowledge on HIV during pre-test assessment. Knowledge was found out to be significantly different in-terms of sex. Male were more knowledgeable than females. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences on pre- and post-test scores. In conclusion, it highlighted that HIV counselling and lectures were helpful in increasing the level of knowledge. Consequently, results implied further need on HIV education and information dissemination. Although vital and essential, knowledge alone might not be adequate to control HIV transmission. It should start from the people “at risk” to modify behaviours that could potentially spread the virus.

College of Health Sciences Graduate Studies Master of Arts in Nursing with specialization in Medical-Surgical Nursing

Text in English