HIV Counseling and Testing Uptake, Knowledge and Attitude and Influencing Factors among Student Nurses and Midwives in The Gambia: An Institutional-based Cross-sectional Study

HIV counseling and testing (HCT) has become paramount in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS worldwide. However, the uptake of HCT has been very slow globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Student nurses formed the largest group undergoing health care training in the country compared to doctors and other health cadres. According to WHO, they are part of the most vulnerable group to HIV infection, judging by the fact that they interact more with patients/clients than other healthcare professionals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HCT uptake, knowledge, and attitude and evaluate influencing factors among student nurses and midwives in public nursing schools. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from 305 randomly selected nursing students and midwives using a validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi square, logistics regression, one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test) were used for data analysis using SPSS version 25.0. A p-value < 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. Out of the 305 students recruited for the study, 60.98% were females, with a mean age of 25.5 years old. About 58.4% of the participants had tested for HIV in the past. About 95.7% acknowledged the importance of HCT in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. HCT uptake among student nurses and midwives was influenced by factors ranging from an individual that are interpersonal challenges (such as concerns of friends), perceived susceptibility to the disease, lack of confidentiality, stigma and discrimination from health service providers. Therefore, these barriers can be addressed through an organized targeted health education intervention and advocacy programs across health training institutions in the Gambia and beyond.