Department of Mathematics

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Browsing Department of Mathematics by Author "Ekirapa, Innocent"

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    Factors influencing HIV/AIDS testing and counseling among college students : a case study of Nagongera campus Busitema university.
    (Busitema University, 2026) Ekirapa, Innocent
    This study examined factors influencing HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling (HTC) uptake among undergraduate students at Nagongera Campus, Busitema University. A cross-sectional survey utilizing simple random sampling yielded 65 valid responses. Data collected via Kobo Collect was analyzed using Stata and SPSS (Chi-square and Binary Logistic Regression). Findings revealed a relatively high HTC uptake rate. Multivariate analysis identified willingness to test (OR=4.120, p=0.002) and perceived importance of HTC (OR=3.452, p=0.008) as statistically significant predictors of testing behavior. In other words, structural and socio-cultural barriers (stigma, cost, peer influence, confidentiality) were not significant predictors, suggesting psychological drivers override these barriers in this specific campus context. The findings of this study indicate that HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling (HTC) uptake among students at Nagongera Campus, Busitema University is relatively high, with 63.08% of respondents reporting that they had ever tested for HIV. The results demonstrate that psychological and attitudinal factors, particularly willingness to undergo HIV testing and the perceived importance of HTC, were the strongest and only statistically significant predictors of testing uptake, while socio-demographic characteristics (such as sex and marital status) and structural or socio-cultural barriers, including stigma, cost, accessibility, confidentiality, peer influence, and fear of results, were not significant predictors after adjustment. Although age showed a near-significant association, the overall findings suggest that students' personal motivation and positive attitudes toward HIV testing play a greater role in influencing testing behavior than external barriers, highlighting the effectiveness of existing campus-based HIV testing services and the need for interventions that strengthen positive attitudes and willingness to test. The findings of this study indicate that HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling (HTC) uptake among students at Nagongera Campus, Busitema University is relatively high, with 63.08% of respondents reporting that they had ever tested for HIV. The results demonstrate that psychological and attitudinal factors, particularly willingness to undergo HIV testing and the perceived importance of HTC, were the strongest and only statistically significant predictors of testing uptake, while socio-demographic characteristics (such as sex and marital status) and structural or socio-cultural barriers, including stigma, cost, accessibility, confidentiality, peer influence, and fear of results, were not significant predictors after adjustment. Although age showed a near-significant association, the overall findings suggest that students' personal motivation and positive attitudes toward HIV testing play a greater role in influencing testing behavior than external barriers, highlighting the effectiveness of existing campus-based HIV testing services and the need for interventions that strengthen positive attitudes and willingness to test.