International Invention Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

185-192

Authors: *Makani Alfred, Selestine Nzala

It is estimated that 14.3% of Zambian adult population are living with HIV. HIV has not spared health workers, in Zambia only 25% of the total health workers are estimated to have taken an HIV test hence the need to ascertain the HIV testing prevalence rate of health workers for appropriate intervention to take place. This study was therefore aimed at determining the prevalence of HIV test uptake and factors associated with testing and disclosure of HIV infection among health workers at Chainama Hills Hospital College in Lusaka district. A mixed method cross sectional study was conducted on 223 male and female health workers Participants were picked from the target population using systematic random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires and focus groups discussions (FGDs). The study found that most health workers at Chainama Hills Hospital had taken an HIV test though they hardly took the test at the health facility. The overall prevalence for testing in those who responded to the question was 100%. Of those who tested 84% and 16% took formal and self test respectively. On the demographic variables only occupation was associated with testing (P value = 0.001). The study further revealed that disclosure of positive results was detrimental to an individual because confidentiality could not be guaranteed hence the prevalence of informal (self test). In view of the fact that health workers do not utilize health services within the facility there is need to reconsider HIV testing services for health workers at Chainama Hills Hospital College. This should be done in conjunction with health workers and their professional bodies. Keywords: Factors, HIV testing services, Health workers, Self test, Formal test, Status disclosure.