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Assessment of knowledge, perceptions and acceptability of mandatory pre-medical tests for intending couples in churches in Abuja, Nigeria

Background

The mandatory STIs screening introduce in churches as preconditions for marriages play significant role in reducing the spread of STIs including HIV to unsuspected spouses including their children. This strategy was explored to assess the level of knowledge, perceptions and acceptability of this condition by intending couples in three faith-based organizations in Abuja, Nigeria.

Methods

Members of these institutions were identified trained and assigned as counselors as well as interviewers. Data collection tools were structured questionnaires and one-to-one interview. Socio-demographic data obtained were age, sex, level of education, occupation as well as awareness of STIs including HIV/AIDS.

Results

A total of 21 intending couples were interviewed. The survey period covered nine months. Levels of education were primary, secondary and post secondary consisting of varying forms of occupation while 5(2%) could not read or write. On awareness, 80% knew about STIs including HIV. 64% were aware of VCT and 59% have had HIV test done before. Some of the couples however had the following perceptions with regard to HIV; 33% believed they could not have HIV, 46% feared stigmatization and discrimination, 7% showed no interest for HIV testing while 14% believed that there is no confidentiality. Percentage of knowledge or known STIs were; gonorrhea 25%, syphilis 9%, candidasis 6%, a chlamyda itrichomitis 7%, HIV 50% and trichomonas vaginalis 3%. Among the previously tested, 14.2% and 8.2% represented pre-employment and volunteers respectively. Degree of awareness, perceptions and willingness to be tested were proportional to level of education.

Conclusion

This study showed varying responses and perceptions among couples about STIs including HIV testing. Awareness and counseling services could be better used among the sects.

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Correspondence to A Uwah.

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Open Access This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Uwah, A., Adedeji, A., SalawuV, O. et al. Assessment of knowledge, perceptions and acceptability of mandatory pre-medical tests for intending couples in churches in Abuja, Nigeria. Retrovirology 3 (Suppl 1), P63 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4690-3-S1-P63

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4690-3-S1-P63

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