Abstract:
Voluntary HIV/AIDS testing services have been a component for HIV/AIDS prevention and
care programs in many countries. Although there are so many different governmental and
non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Tanzania, campaigning on HIV/AIDS yet the
problem is still existing and increasing. The number of people going for voluntary
HIV/AIDS testing is not proportional to the total population. The study was conducted to
examine the perception of people towards voluntary HIV/AIDS testing in Ilala
Municipality. Three wards were selected; three streets were selected from those three wards
in the study area. Data were collected using questionnaires, guideline and Focus Group
Discussion (FGD). Data were collected and analysed using a Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS) program (12.0 versions). Likert scale was used for measuring perception
and attitude of people towards voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. The study reveals that 92.5%
of respondent perceive positive towards voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. Specifically, the
finding identifies ways in which the municipality can redesign their intervention
programmes that will encourage a greater number of people to submit for voluntary
HIV/AIDS testing. The study leads to conclusion that voluntary HIV/AIDS testing is very
crucial in enabling the whole society in making decisions to go for voluntary HIV/AIDS
testing. It is learnt that voluntary HIV/AIDS testing is an essential component in HIV/AIDS
prevention and treatment programmes. In that case a deeper knowledge on voluntary
HIV/AIDS testing among the people is more recommended as a prerequisite to prevent the
spread of HIV/AIDS among the people. Also the study recommends that more efforts and
interventions in addressing stigma, confidentiality, informed consent, and social violence is
needed so as to encourage many people to submit for voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. It is
further recommended that the government, NGOs and other stakeholders should provide
education/ skills on how to prevention from HIV/AIDS infection to special groups ofiii
people such as the deaf, blind, disabled and children to establish new voluntary HIV/AIDS
testing centre basing on predetermined requirements.
