Association between Perceived Seriousness and the Use of Voluntary Counseling and Testing among Men who have Sex with Men in Pematangsiantar, North Sumatera

Lambok Nita Situmorang

Masters Program on Public Health, Univeritas Sumatera Utara

ABSTRACT

Background: The use of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Tomuan Health Center in Pematangsiantar City was still low (34.4%). It may due to their low perceived seriousness of HIV/ AIDS. This study aimed to estimate the association between perceived seriousness and the use of voluntary counseling and testing among men who have sex with men in Pematangsiantar, North Sumatera.

Subjects and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in puskesmas (Community Health Center), Pematangsiantar, North Sumatera. A sample of 61 MSM was selected for this study. The dependent variable was use of VCT. The independent variable was perceived seriousness. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a logistic regression.

Results: Use of VCT was associated with perceived seriousness (OR= 3.95; 95% CI= 2.11 to 5.71, p=0.034).

Conclusion: Use of VCT is associated with perceived seriousness. The higher perceived seriousness, the more likely a man who have sex with man to use VCT.

Keywords: voluntary counseling and testing, utilization, perceived seriousness

Correspondence: Lambok Nita Situmorang. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, North Sumatera. Email: nithastmoor@gmail.com. Mobile: +62 85372537900.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/theicph.2018.02.27

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