UPTAKE UNDERGRADUATE

This study examined the knowledge, perception, and uptake of voluntary HIV/AIDS screening among accounting students at a Nigerian university. Utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, 266 participants were selected through a stratified sampling technique to ensure a representative sample across different years of study. Data collection employed a structured questionnaire, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was used for data analysis. The study aimed to assess students' level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, their attitudes toward screening, and the factors influencing their screening decisions. Results showed a high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among participants, with 90.6% demonstrating good understanding, particularly concerning screening purposes, testing timing, and transmission routes. However, despite this high knowledge level, screening uptake was nearly evenly split, with 49.2% reporting good uptake and 50.8% indicating poor uptake. Only 28.2% engaged in regular screening, and just 35.3% had been tested within the last year, highlighting a gap in continuous monitoring. Stigma, lack of awareness, cost considerations, and accessibility emerged as the primary barriers, with 71.4% identifying stigma as a deterrent. Peer influence, awareness initiatives, and access to free testing services were significant facilitators for screening uptake. The study concludes that while knowledge about HIV/AIDS is high among accounting students, this does not consistently translate to regular screening behavior. Addressing both structural and psychosocial barriers is critical to improving HIV screening uptake. Recommendations
include implementing institutional awareness programs, offering cost-free and easily accessible screening services, and developing peer support networks to reduce stigma. These interventions could contribute to a more consistent and proactive approach to HIV/AIDS screening among university students, ultimately supporting early detection and preventive health behaviors.