title: Social cognitive determinants of HIV voluntary counselling and testing uptake among married individuals in Dar es Salaam Tanzania: Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cumulative evidence indicates increasing HIV infection among married individuals. Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV (HCT) is known to be an effective intervention to induce safer sex behaviour and access to early treatment, care and support among married individuals, which are important for HIV prevention. In this context, knowledge of factors associated with HCT uptake among married individuals is critical in promoting the use of the services. This study therefore intended to identify the social cognitive factors associated with acceptance of HCT among married individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional analytical study face to face questionnaires were administered among 200 randomly selected married individuals in Kinondoni district, Dar es Salaam Tanzania. The questionnaire included self-reported HCT, socio-demographic variables and social cognitive variables (attitude, subjective norms, perceived control and perceived risk). Logistic regression was used to identify the independent association of social cognitive predictors of HCT among married individuals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly half (42%) of the respondents had never had HCT. Of the social cognitive constructs, the strongest predictor of HCT uptake was attitude (OR per additional score point = 1.07, 95% CI 1.04-1.10) followed by perceived behavioural control (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06). Subjective norm and perceived risk were not associated with HCT uptake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public health interventions targeting married individuals should be designed to enhance their positive attitude towards HCT and empower them to overcome barriers to the use of the services.
authors.affiliation: Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 78373, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. smtenga@ihi.or.tz.
authors.forename: Sally M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mtenga
authors.affiliation: Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 78373, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. aexavery@ihi.or.tz.
authors.forename: Amon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Exavery
authors.affiliation: Muhimbili Department of Health Science, (MUHAS), P.O. Box 65015, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. knkuru@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Deodatus
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kakoko
authors.affiliation: Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 78373, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. egeubbels@ihi.or.tz.
authors.forename: Eveline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Geubbels
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012919:Social Behavior; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania