Reproductive Health Information from Parents: A Dominant Factor of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) HIV Intention on Adolescents

Abstract

Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is a service that is very useful to detect someone's HIV status early. It is hoped that someone who engages in risky sexual behavior can take advantage of VCT services. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of sex, experiences in obtaining reproductive health information from parents, community, community leaders, access to reproductive health information through social media, participation in organizations, experiences of risk behavior with the intention of VCT in adolescents in Surakarta. This research was conducted with a cross-sectional approach in April 2019. The study population was adolescents aged 15-19 years in five sub-districts in Surakarta, Indonesia (Laweyan, Banjarsari, Serengan, Pasar Kliwon, and Jebres). The number of samples in this study was 450 adolescents who were taken with a quota sampling technique. Bivariate analysis was performed using chi-square and Fisher exact and multivariate analysis using logistic regression analysis. The results showed a relationship between getting reproductive health information from parents (p-value 0.003) and community leaders (p-value 0.027) with the intention of VCT in adolescents. The experience of getting reproductive health information from parents is the most influential factor in the intention of VCT in adolescents (OR = 0.565, CI = 0.385-0.830). Efforts are needed to provide information to adolescents about VCT services to understand that VCT is very important for follow-up care if HIV test results are reactive. Adolescents also need to be given information regarding how to increase self-efficacy to utilize VCT.